We're All Going On A…Strike!

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