Cabin crew at Thomas Cook have voted by a three to one majority in favour of strike action following the travel group's change to rest breaks. More than half of the 1,000 staff members voted and three-quarters of those supported industrial action.
Unite, the union representing the staff, is in dispute with Thomas Cook after it reduced its cabin crew's breaks from one 20-minute break every six hours to one 20-minute break every 12 hours worked. Unite says the cabin crew should have at least two 20-minute breaks every 12 hours.
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, workers have the right to an uninterrupted 20-minute rest break away from their workstation if their day's working time exceeds six hours. Statute limits this right to one 20-minute break per day if the shift is at least six hours. Therefore, even if the shift is 12 hours or more, an employer only needs to offer one break. However, this is subject to the employer's general duty to prevent risks to health and safety. Employers may also use a collective agreement to determine the duration of any rest break and the terms on which it is granted. Thomas Cook states that the union agreed to the change in rest breaks two years ago.
The change to the rest breaks introduced by Thomas Cook accords with the Working Time Regulations as well as the minimum limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority. However, the cabin crew are advancing an argument that this change will affect the health and safety of both the crew and the passengers.
For the proposed strike to go ahead, Unite must give Thomas Cook seven days' notice. As Unite has not yet served this notice, Thomas Cook hopes that the dispute will not affect half-term holidays. However, it may be that the strike action will disrupt summer holidays instead.
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