UNITE has balloted its members because of the imposition which was introduced on November 16th (WW) and December 1st (EF). UNITE claims crewing levels are contractual and that they should be re-introduced before they want to negotiate with BA. The problem is that over 1000 crew members have left BA on VR and if BA were to re-introduce those crew members they would need to recruit again.

The demands themselves are a bit blurry. I don't even really know what they are about!

Media says it's about job cuts (all through VR) and pay freeze (suggested by UNITE).

The costing savings which need to be done are of great concern as UNITE says the global recession is a temporary problem and all measurements taken should also be temporary. Such savings should be re-paid to IFCE within a couple of years. Their demand to BA was that those savings should be re-paid within 2 years. BA also wants to change employment contracts for future cabin crew.

You may have heard of New Fleet which is similar to the fleet at LGW.

BA has been planning for 2 years to reduce costs on cabin crew by introducing a more efficient fleet at LHR. UNITE has been against this but actually done nothing to prevent it from happening. BA was really strong about it but listened to us and our concerns and removed it from the proposal BUT on the condition that UNITE would negotiate with BA. UNITE refused to negotiate properly and BA was forced to re-introduce this fleet on the proposal to save costs. It's actually UNITE to blame for this fleet being a threat again.

That's pretty much it.