EasyJet flight attendants win right to express milk while working during landmark tribunal
A court ruled the two air hostess' employment rights had been breached when the airline refused to let them express on-shift, despite backing from four GPs
TWO easyJet flight attendants yesterday won the right to express milk for their kids while working.
Sara Ambacher and Cynthia McFarlane took the airline to a tribunal after it refused requests backed by four GPs.
In a landmark ruling, the court found easyJet breached the Employment Rights Act through indirect sex discrimination.
The pair wanted easyJet to roster them for a maximum of eight hours to enable them to express their milk either side of the shift.
The firm was unwilling because while it recognises breastfeeding as being a 'globally recognised human right' for passengers, this did not extend to its cabin crew - instead claiming breastfeeding is “a choice”.
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However, the tribunal found that the airline should have either reduced the breastfeeding mothers' hours, found them alternative duties or suspended them on full pay.
The pair were both member of union Unite, which represented them at the Bristol tribunal.
Legal officer Nicky Marcus said: "It is a ground-breaking victory which has wider implications for all working women particularly those in atypical workplaces like cabin crew.
"The days of 'I'm going back to work so I will have to give up breastfeeding' are over.
A spokesman for the airline said: "EasyJet wants to ensure that women can continue to breastfeed whilst working at easyJet and we are reviewing the working practices for our cabin crew to ensure they can do so."