BA assurances follow job cut plan

BA is to close its Glasgow cabin crew base

British Airways has given assurances that further Scottish operations will not be affected after it announced plans to close a base in Glasgow.

The company plans to shut down a cabin crew base, putting 130 jobs at risk.

First Minister Alex Salmond met BA's chief executive Willie Walsh on Tuesday night and urged him to reconsider the move.

Mr Salmond said it was unfair to axe "loyal, hard-working" staff while an efficiency drive was under way.

He said Mr Walsh accepted that efficiency savings had been made but argued these were insufficient to overcome the costs of running the Scottish base.

"This decision had been made just two months into a three month productivity trial," he said.

How can BA call itself British when it is centralised in the south east of England? Steve Turner Unite

"I made the point to Willie Walsh that it is not reasonable to treat people that way.

"I do recognise the prevailing difficult economic conditions and, in this context, welcome BA's assurances concerning their other Scottish operations.

"However, BA have reinforced the opinion that they are becoming increasingly centred in London.

"On a more co-operative note, we agreed to reinvigorate our representations to the Treasury over their proposals for Air Passenger Duty to ensure that there is no unfair additional burden placed on Scottish customers."

The company also plans to reduce flights from Scotland to London.

Earlier in the day, Mr Salmond met representatives of the base to hear their concerns over the proposed closure.

Unite, the union representing many of the airline staff, accused BA of abandoning Britain in favour of London and said its members in Glasgow would be holding a mass meeting on Thursday.

'Deeply concerned'

Unite national officer, Steve Turner said: "We are going to fight to keep this Scottish base open.

"We believe British Airways has ignored the consultation process and our members were furious that they had to hear the leaked news over the radio. This approach to employment relations is totally unacceptable.

"How can BA call itself British when it is centralised in the south east of England?"

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy has written to Mr Walsh offering to enter into "constructive discussions."

BA said last month it was experiencing "the worst trading environment the industry has ever seen."

In his letter, Mr Murphy made clear he had significant concerns over any plans for BA's withdrawal from Glasgow and resulting redundancies.

He said: "I want to ensure the changes do not jeopardise business in Scotland, particularly at this difficult time for the economy.

"I realise those conditions equally affect BA and its operations but am deeply concerned about job losses on this scale.

He added: "The closure of a Scottish base for BA raises significant questions about a longer term commitment to Scotland."

A BA spokesman said the Glasgow base had been under review for some time and any decision regarding its future would be communicated in the first instance to staff.