British Airways (BA) has rejected allegations by Unite that it is forcing pregnant women to take unpaid leave.
Union Unite, which is currently locked in an ongoing battle with BA over changes to cabin crew working conditions, has accused BA of discriminating against pregnant women.
According to the union, BA is forcing cabin crew who become pregnant and who live too far to travel to Heathrow or Gatwick to perform ground duties to take unpaid leave.
Unite said it had been a move by management in recent days.
Once female cabin crew members learn they are pregnant, they are automatically banned from flying to avoid complications in the pregnancy.
Brendan Gold, Unite’s national officer, said: “BA has closed its regional bases forcing workers to travel hundreds of miles to their place of work.
“It now intends to stop payment to any pregnant crew staff member who is unable to commute to BA’s last two hubs, Heathrow and Gatwick.”
The airline has denied that it has made any changes. A BA spokesman said: “We categorically reject any allegation of discrimination.”
He said BA’s policy for pregnant cabin crew who are unable to fly is “long established” and fully compliant with UK law.
“Every effort is made to find, discuss and offer suitable alternative work for these crew members when we are notified that they are unable to fly,” the spokesman added.
“There is no intention that any pregnant crew unable to fly will be denied basic pay.”
Despite the onset of the latest row, negotiations between BA and Unite seem to be progressing. BA’s CEO Keith Williams and Unite’s general secretary met for talks last week, and more are planned.