First Officer Jessica Starmer has won her case against British Airways (BA) for their refusal to allow her to work 50% part time.
Starmer, wanted to slash her hours so that she could look after her one year old daughter, Beth.
The airline claim the refusal was on the grounds of safety.
BA argued that pilots should have at least 2,000 flying hours experience approximately three years of full time flying before any reduction in working hours would be acceptable.
Starmer had completed about 1,100 hours.
But according to the pilot’s union Balpa, the safety rule was introduced in September, five months after Starmer’s request was refused.
BALPA General Secretary Jim McAuslan said: “We welcome the Tribunal’s decision and hope that it will encourage more airlines to introduce better part time and flexible working arrangements for all flight crew whether they are a young mum or dad, someone who is caring for aged parents or someone who needs flexible retirement arrangements.
“British Airways should show the same flexibility in employment practices as they demand of their pilots. The pilot labour market is tightening and UK aviation needs to use the skills of all its pilots.”
Starmer said she was ‘delighted’ by the ruling in her favour.
The airline who are launching an appeal released a statement saying they were ‘puzzled’ by the Tribunals decision to ‘interfere’ with their right to set levels of safety standards and procedures.
One Response
Beyond a tribunal’s Competence
I suspect that the Tribunal has gone beyond its competence with this judgement. Whilst BA may be right or wrong in deciding in detail how much time it takes for a pilot to gain sufficient experience, and with what intensity of flying, I would rather BA make that judgement about a critical safety issue than a Tribunal. if the Tribunal’s decision lowers UK safety standards – and the UK’s aviation safety record is amongst the best in the world, can my family sue the tribunal when I die as a result of their decision?