Unions warned BA / BAA warned about T5 chaos
10.07.08
British Airways and airport operator BAA were warned by staff about the impending chaos at Heathrow Terminal 5 but did nothing to avert the crisis, MPs were told yesterday. Union leaders told members of the House of Commons Transport Committee that no consideration was given to the views of those working at the terminal, who were aware of the problems with the new giant terminal.
Steve Turner, civil air transport national secretary for the Unite union, said a number of concerns were raised with BA and BAA before the chaotic opening of the £4.3 billion terminal in March. Despite confident predictions that the move would go smoothly, over 500 flights were cancelled in the next 10 days, and over 28,000 bags went missing.
Mr Turner told MPs: ‘BA and BAA were working together over the opening but there was a complete failure to consult the trade unions.’ Iggy Vaid, a senior shop steward with Unite, added: ‘We had a lot of teething problems with the opening but these could have been avoided had we been listened to, but we were not.’
Despite claims from the unions that more than 900 bags a day belonging to transfer passengers were going missing at Terminal 5, Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said that Terminal 5 is ‘working well today’ and promised to cooperate with staff in future. He added: ‘Everyone was hoping an expecting a great performance and we are deeply disappointed by that failure to do so.’
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