Downing Street Says » BA Strike

Asked what the Government could do to resolve the strike situation, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) said that we could encourage the parties involved to get together. The Prime Minister had spoken about this during his interview this morning, saying that it was unjustified. Lord Adonis had been in the House of Lords this afternoon and made clear that the Government had no power to impose a settlement.

Asked if the Prime Minister had spoken to anyone at BA, the PMS said that we did not comment on private conversations the Prime Minister may or may not have had.

Put that Tony Woodley had said that it was unhelpful for politicians to get involved in the dispute, the PMS said that it was in no one’s interest for this strike to go ahead. Lord Adonis had said that both he and the Prime Minister had urged the union to call off the strike and for both sides to reach an agreement.

Asked if the Prime Minister had sympathy with the strikers, the PMS said that the Prime Minister encouraged the parties involved to resolve the situation; it was not a question of apportioning blame, it was a question of both parties reaching an agreement.

Put that using the word deplorable was apportioning blame, the PMS said that the Prime Minister was clear last week that he was disappointed with the situation and wanted to see a resolution as quickly as possible. The people who would really suffer were the customers.

Put that the Prime Minister hadn’t used the word deplorable last week, the PMS said that the Prime Minister’s position hadn’t changed; it would be regrettable if there were to be a strike. The Prime Minister last week reminded those who were involved of the impact a strike could have on the British economy.

Asked if the Prime Minister found the fact that people had found themselves in a situation where they had to strike deplorable or the decision to strike deplorable, the PMS said that if the strike went ahead there would be many BA customers who would not be able to take up their flights, which everyone involved was concerned about.

Put that the Prime Minister should be talking to the parties involved as a strike would have an impact on the economy, the PMS said that the Government had no powers to impose a settlement.

Put that Tony Woodley said that the Prime Minister’s use of the word deplorable had been aimed at union members, the PMS said that the Prime Minister’s comments had been made in the context of a wider statement about finding a way for the two sides to get together.

Asked if the Government advised ACAS involvement, the PMS said that the companies and the unions knew what mechanisms were available to them.

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» Monday, March 15, 2010

BA Strike

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