BRITISH AIRWAYS is to appeal against an employment tribunal decision to allow an inexperienced co-pilot, Jessica Starmer, to reduce her flying to 50% of her contract to enable her to look after her one-year-old daughter. The tribunal found that it is for British Airways to establish its own safety standards which in fact are above the minimum required by the Civil Aviation Authority. BA says it is concerned and therefore puzzled that by reaching the decision, the tribunal appearing to interfere with the airline's right to set its own levels of safety standards and procedures. Jessica Starmer currently works part time on a 75% contract and British Airways has consistently said that the decision not to allow her to cut her working hours in half, to an average of just eight days a month, until she completes the required amount of flying hours, was based on safety not sex discrimination. The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) stage-managed coverage of the case which could ultimately be decided on who sets the standards. Airline, union or aviation authority.
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