WORKERS are protesting against plans by British Airways to cut up to 12,000 jobs nationally and replace them with new controversial contracts on reduced wages.

Around a dozen protestors, including British Airway (BA) workers living in Darlington, gathered outside Darlington Town Hall this afternoon as part of the BA Betrayal campaign.

Together they chanted "no ifs, no buts, no British Airways cuts."

The group were calling on Darlington MP, Peter Gibson, to join over 100 MPs from across political parties to sign a pledge calling for a UK government review of landing and take-off slots in response to BA's 'fire and rehire' project.

The company have been accused by protestors of using the coronavirus pandemic as a cover to impose a long-term plan to 'fire and rehire' the majority of its staff in order to impose on them inferior terms and conditions, whilst making up to 12,000 redundant.

This project comes at the same time as British Airways parent company, IAG is in the process of buying Spanish Airline, Air Europa, which is valued at over 1 billion euros.

Now protestors want the company to be stripped of its privileged access to UK landing and take-off slots.

One protestor at the event, who did not want to be named, said: "British Airways have pushed ahead with project fire and rehire regardless. They have been propped up by government money on the furlough scheme and their parent company IAG is trying to buy a new airline in Spain as we speak.

"Obviously this means they don't need to carry out the project fire and rehire.

"They have consistently refused to engage with the union.

Nearly 170 MPs have signed the pledge for the review of their take-off and landing slots, and we're here today to ask our local MP, Peter Gibson, to sign the pledge too."

Sharon Graham, Unite executive officer who is behind the BA Betrayal campaign said: "Over 100 MPs have signed the pledge and the number is growing by the day.

"MPs can be confident that they have the backing of the British public who overwhelmingly oppose BA's project.

"BA workers face a unprecedented attack on their jobs, pay and conditions in the middle of the worst health crisis in a century. Meanwhile, the airlines owner IAG is pressing ahead to buy a Spanish Airline valued at over 1 billion euros.

"There should be consequences to BA's actions. The company is essentially creating an unrecognisable airline - it should not automatically control over half the landing slots at Heathrow. It is simply wrong for BA to continue to have privileged access to legacy landing slots whilst its workforce is sacrificed for the benefit of IAG shareholders."

Mr Gibson did not sign the pledge, but said he has been in correspondence with multiple BA workers facing redundancy in Darlington, and has taken their concerns to Kelly Tolhurst, Transport and Aviation Minister.

"The protestors voices do have merit. I think it's dreadful that British Airways have used the pandemic to mask the company's shift into redundancies," said Mr Gibson. "I have great sympathy for all those who have lost their jobs, it is a very sad situation.

"The government should be looking into this issue further, and discussing the way in which BA employees have been taken advantage of in recent events.

"I have been in communication with several worried BA employees facing redundancy, and have highlighted their concerns to Ms Tolhurst in a meeting two weeks ago. I will continue working closely with those effected to address these problems.

"As a blank rule, I do not sign my name to pledges, and believe they have little effect, but I will take these concerns further."

Mr Gibson said he would have attended the rally and met with protesters, but was unable to due to prior commitments.

"I have spoken to those rallying today, and have arranged to meet with them in the near future.