Type
Internal restructuring
Country
United Kingdom
Region
London; Outer London; Outer London - West and North West
Location of affected unit(s)
Heathrow
Sector
Transportation / Storage
Land, Water And Air Transportation
Air Transport
51 - Air transport

250 - 375 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
14 August 2005
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
31 August 2008

Description

British Airways who employ around 2,500 baggage handlers at Heathrow is planning to cut up to 15% of its baggage handling staff. The 'headcount reductions' come as part of the airline's plans for consolidating all of its Heathrow operations into the new terminal five, currently under construction. These wortkers have been involved in industrial action for the past two summers, as well as the unofficial walk-outs that paralysed BA's operations at Heathrow for a day and a half last in early August 2005 estimated to have cost up to £30 million. However, BA executives pointed out that any reduction would not necessarily involve forced redundancies. 'For example, our cargo operations are growing. So while we may have the need for fewer handlers they could be redeployed into other areas.'


Sources

  • 14 August 2005: The Observer

Citation

Eurofound (2005), British Airways, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 62168, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/62168.