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British Airways head has no regrets over Christian cross row
More articles on this topic: Religion in the WorkplaceThe head of British Airways last night said he had no regrets over his handling of the Christian cross row.
Willie Walsh issued a defiant message in the face of a torrent of criticism from Archbishops and Cabinet Ministers over its ban on staff wearing the cross.
It came as check-in worker Nadia Eweida was told she must wait another week to hear if she can wear her tiny cross necklace with her uniform. BA managers prolonged the agony for Miss Eweida - despite agreeing more than a week ago it would review the airline’s uniform code in light of the controversy.
Miss Eweida urged her bosses to stop being “Scrooges” and show her some goodwill in the run up to Christmas by lifting the ban.
Mr Walsh - who personally insisted that the uniform code banning the cross along with other jewellery be enforced - issued his first public comments on the row at an aviation event in London yesterday.
Asked by the Daily Mail if he would have done anything differently, given the enormous amount of controversy surrounding Miss Eweida’s case, Mr Walsh gave an emphatic “No”.
BA’s stance was condemned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, 20 bishops, 100 MPs and a string of Government Ministers.
Mr Walsh was forced to cave in to a uniform policy review 10 days ago after Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams threatened to withdraw £6.5 million of Church of England shares from BA.
But the airline is still forcing Miss Eweida, 55, from Twickenham, to await the outcome of her appeal before allowing her back to work.
Mr Walsh added: “I believe the way that BA has been portrayed here is completely unfair. I stand by BA’s record. I am proud to lead the airline. We have a track record that is second to none in terms of inclusion and diversity.
“Saying that the airline is anti-Christian is completely unjustified. It is not only unjust, but untrue.”
Mr Walsh spoke at CBI’s headquarters at the launch of a report on the aviation industry’s contribution to the UK economy as Miss Eweida attended her third appeal hearing several miles away at Heathrow.
Miss Eweida, who has been off work without pay for nine weeks over the row, said: “I just pray that with the coming of Christmas British Airways management show some goodwill spirit and end this silly policy.
“BA have kept me hanging on and hanging on. They should stop being such Scrooges!
“I am optimistic that BA’s review of uniform policy will bring an end to all this. They did not say anything to suggest they were planning a change, but I am very hopeful that is what they are considering.
“If they do not and I lose this appeal, it is possible that I will lose my job but I must fight on to the bitter end. I cannot stop because this is too important.”
Miss Eweida spoke to reporters after the hour long meeting with bosses - despite being warned again by the airline’s management against talking to the Press.
She said she expected to know BA’s decision by December 14.
But behind the scenes at BA there are frenetic moves afoot to try and find a face-saving formula to put an end to the embarrassing saga.
BA bosses are set to ensure that the results of Mr Walsh’s uniform policy review are announced before the decision on Miss Eweida’s appeal.
Mr Walsh has already offered a compromise where staff could wear a small lapel badge with a religious symbol such as a cross.
But Miss Eweida repeated her opposition to the deal yesterday.
Announcing the result of the uniform review first could allow some “wriggle room” to BA executives, the Daily Mail has learned. BA could then justifiably claim that it had listened to her concerns and amended BA’s uniform policy accordingly.
Under this scenario, Miss Eweida could claim the morale victory, but BA could also claim some face-saving honour in having listened to the arguments.
By contrast, it would be perceived as perverse if BA upheld its decision that Mrs Eweida was in breach of BA uniform code - and then just days later decided to change that uniform code.
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