British Airways and replace them with agency staff; it is estimated that the strike cost British Airways £30 million and caused disruption to 100,000 passengers. In October 2006, BA became involved in a civil rights dispute when a Christian employee was forbidden to wear a necklace bearing the cross, a religious symbol. BA's practice of forbidding such symbols has been publicly questioned by British politicians such as the former Home Secretary John Reid and the former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Relations have been turbulent between BA and Unite. In 2007, cabin crew threatened strike action over salary changes to be imposed by
Solidarity – The Union for British Workers Solidarity – The Union for British Workers Solidarity – The Union for British Workers is a United Kingdom trade union formed in late 2005. It is named after the Polish trade union "Solidarność", and its logo (which it has trademarked) is also inspired by that of the Polish union. According to documents lodged with the Certification Office, which regulates matters concerning trade unions, Solidarity aims to "improve the relations between employers and employees throughout all industries served by the union"; "to protect, assist and promote the working and living conditions of the citizens of the British Isles"; '"resist and oppose