Last checked at 
(Alliance News) - A union is stepping up pressure on British Airways to halt proposed job cuts, with new research it says shows the public believes the airline is damaging its brand.
Unite said a survey of 2,000 members of the public found that 70% believed BA was wrong to be proposing to cut thousands of jobs. British Airways is a part of International Consolidated Airlines Group SA
Three out of five of those questioned agreed BA was "taking advantage of a national crisis to boost shareholder profits", and most said they would back a government review of BA's landing slots, Unite said.
Sharon Graham, the union's executive officer, said: "It's clear that Britain wants the government to get tough on the nation's flag-carrying airline for its disgraceful plans.
"The airline is stripping its loyal workforce of their terms and conditions while sacking thousands in the middle of a health crisis.
"If BA press ahead to create a new and unrecognisable airline, it should not continue to benefit from its domination of lucrative legacy take-off and landing slots."
A BA spokesman 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 call on Unite and the GMB to consult with us on our proposals as our pilot union, Balpa, is doing. Working together we can protect more jobs as we prepare for a new future."
The airline said its proposals have been put forward with a view to consultation, adding that no decisions have been taken in regards to actual redundancies.
BA added it was in a period of consultation, so no final decisions have been made.
source: PA
Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
