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Union criticises first unpowered flight across Channel
1 Aug 2003 by Malcolm Drury
Having only just settled the dispute over the use of "swipe cards", BA, as well as other airlines, is facing more union unrest that threatens further massive disruption at Heathrow and other airports, DeadBrain has learned
The issue is over yesterday's first unpowered flight over the English Channel by Austrian Felix Baumgartner, who jumped from a plane about 30,000ft above Dover and glided 22 miles across the Channel in a 10-minute flight.
Sir Bill Morris, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, told our reporter in an exclusive telephone call that the unpowered flight raised several issues, including demarcation of responsibilities and job security for his members.
"Where did the ground staff for this flight come from?" he asked. "Certainly not TGWU members. It's a clear use of blackleg labour."
"And what about if this kind of thing takes off," he continued, apparently unaware of the unintentional pun. "What if everybody starts travelling that way? It would mean huge job losses for my members. Well, we're simply not going to stand for it. If Alistair Darling doesn't put an immediate stop to any further international unpowered flights out of the UK, we will walk and all British airports will be brought to a standstill."
Mr. Darling was unavailable for comment.
Excuse me, would you mind?
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