Mamaj's Aviation Blog Travel News, Events, Trends, Jobs, Gossip and Inspiration
British Airways female cabin crew have won the right to wear trousers if they wish, bringing to an end a two year dispute over the airline’s dress code.
The concession applies to BA’s so called “Mixed Fleet”, a category of crew created in 2010 who were hired on inferior terms and conditions than existing members of staff.
Trousers were included for female cabin crew in the BA uniform designed by Julien McDonald in 2001.
But a different look was created for the Mixed Fleet team, which accounts for 3,000 of BA’s 17,000 cabin crew.
BA said the amended design had a number of “unique aspects”, including female staff wearing a skirt and hat.
The airline said it was “not within the mixed fleet vision for female crew to wear trousers”.
At the time, BA said, the requirement was made clear to anyone who joined the Mixed Fleet.
According to Unite, the union representing BA cabin crew, 83 per cent of its members wanted the option of wearing trousers.
The union said it had succeeded in forcing the airline to change its policy following a test case run through BA’s internal procedures.
“This has been a long running campaign against British Airways management’s continual refusal to allow female cabin crew on its Mixed Fleet the option of wearing trousers,” said Matt Smith, Unite’s regional officer.
“It was ridiculous that 46 years after the ‘Made in Dagenham’ women won the right to equal pay that companies like British Airways were still employing old fashioned views and treating women differently.
“British Airways’ stance was unbefitting of a modern airline in the modern age and demonstrates that Unite will not allow cases like this to go unchallenged.”
Confirming the change in the uniform’s rules, a BA spokesman said: “Our Mixed Fleet team wear the ‘ambassador’ British Airways uniform. While trousers are not a standard part of this uniform, colleagues wishing to wear them can request this through their manager.”
source: The Telegraph
