Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett has told members working in the aviation industry that the union will “stand by them” in negotiations over redundancy pay.
In a video posted on Twitter, Unite’s Howard Beckett has issued a rallying call to members in the aviation industry.
The industry is currently at crisis point due to the huge level of disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and a government bailout is looking increasingly unlikely.
This week the Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “taxpayer support would only be possible if all commercial avenues have been fully explored, including raising further capital from existing investors”.
Sunak also said the government would have to consider “equitable and fair treatment of businesses across the [aviation] sector”, a factor that could jeopardise any negotiations or bailouts for individual airlines. British Airways owner IAG has previously distanced itself from rivals’ calls for assistance and went as far as filing complaints earlier this year when it appeared that Flybe – the first airline to go bust since the coronavirus outbreak – could get state aid.
Amid the rising uncertainty within the industry, Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett has urged members to stay in the union and has reduced subscription rates for aviation workers.
In the video, Mr Beckett said:
I’m here today to talk to our members in aviation, a sector in crisis.
Many of you will already have been laid off and fearful of the future. And many of you will be worried about the negotiations we’re currently having with the industry itself.
Well I’m here to tell you that the union will stand by you… This is when your union matters. It’s tough but we will step up and represent you where we can, and that means for those who have been laid off, that we have reduced membership rates so you can be represented when we get your statutory entitlements, lay off money, redundancy money, failure to consult money, unlawful deductions, notice pay and holiday pay. We’ll get all of that for you for a fraction of your subscription rates.
So it is vital you stay in the union in this most difficult of times.
Watch the video in full below:
A special video message for our members in the aviation industry from @BeckettUnite about how your union is standing by you in these tough times and how we will continue to support you. You'll also see a legal advice helpline number at the end of the video. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/B5vl5WxS9P
— Unite the union (@unitetheunion) March 23, 2020
Facebook Comments