BA accused of internet witch hunt as staff suspended

British Airways (BA) has suspended staff over allegations of intimidation, in the midst of a strike ballot, due to end on 22 February. The BBC reports that 15 members of staff have been suspended but BA has not confirmed the figure.

A BA spokesperson has said:

“We will not tolerate intimidation of our staff, and any reports of staff being threatened will be thoroughly investigated.

"A number of staff have been suspended while we carry out investigations. As that investigation is happening at the moment it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

According to reports, BA found comments it saw as amounting to intimidation on a union's online forum. However, Unite, the union, said that the alleged comments were made on Facebook. Although the list itself isn’t believed to have been published, it is thought the comments relate to the existence of a list of pilots who volunteered to break any strike.  

Some suspended staff told the Guardian they had been suspended for being a friend of the original poster as they had not read or responded to the message. Others say they have been suspended because an email was sent to them.

Len McCluskey, Assistant General Secretary of Unite, said:

"BA has unleashed a cyberspace witch-hunt. Cabin crew have been suspended simply for being a Facebook friend. This is McCarthyism for the internet age.”