Fears for BA jobs in Wales as Covid grounds aviation
NEARLY 400 British Airways jobs are under threat in south Wales.
The global company has started a 45-day consultation with its workers across the area.
The company has three sites in Llantrisant, Blackwood and Cardiff Airport, Rhoose.
Workers union Unite said the announcement was “devastating” and many of those at risk are currently furloughed.
A spokeswoman for British Airways said: “We are acting now to protect as many jobs as possible. The airline industry is facing the deepest structural change in its history, as well as facing a severely weakened global economy.
“We are committed to consulting openly with our unions and our people as we prepare for a new future.”
The aviation industry has been hit hard during the coronavirus lockdown, with many carriers announcing job cuts.
British Airways, Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic are among the airlines which have announced
plans to make thousands of staff redundant.
It was initially reported that in excess of 1,000 jobs were at risk but the Welsh Government subsequently announced BA had told them the correct figure was in fact 399.
IAG, which owns British Airways (BA), has said it does not expect demand for air travel to recover before 2023.
Diana Holland, assistant general secretary for transport at the Unite union, told the Commons Transport Select Committee she is “extremely concerned” about the aviation industry’s future.
She said: “If there isn’t revenue coming into the industry, it’s not just the airlines [affected], it’s the airports, it’s everything down the line and, of course, all the people that work there.”
Although BA does not fly from Wales, it has a £70m maintenance facility for its long-haul fleet at Cardiff Airport, employing almost 700. Its Blackwood site produces aircraft interiors, while the Llantrisant site specialises in avionics.
A Unite spokesman said: “This announcement by BA will have a devastating impact on our members and their families.
“It appears that those who remain in work will be substantially worse-off as BA start a massive onslaught on their loyal and skilled workforce.
“Many of those at risk of redundancy are currently furloughed under the Government’s Job Retention Scheme; a scheme clearly designed to ‘retain’ jobs. It also means that meaningful consultation is impossible. Unite, therefore, regard the consultation as unlawful and are demanding that BA rescind the notices of redundancy.”
Deputy Welsh Labour leader and MP for Swansea East Carolyn Harris said: “Coronavirus has caused huge disruption and challenges for the aviation industry, but it must not be used as a smokescreen for treating a loyal workforce badly.”
Welsh Conservative MS for South Wales Central, Andrew RT Davies, described the news as “devastating”.
He said: “An economic tsunami is heading our way and this is only the first wave. We need brave leadership at Westminster and Cardiff Bay to ensure people have jobs to return to.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The minister for economy, transport and north Wales Ken Skates has today spoken to the head of corporate affairs at International Airlines Group, which owns BA, about this latest development.
“We recognise the impact Covid-19 is having on the aerospace sector and the wider pressures on the industry.
“The economy minister has previously written to the UK Government to press for further, targeted assistance for the sector and we will continue to make the case.”