British Airways employees staged a protest outside the office of South Swindon MP Robert Buckland yesterday.

Workers were calling on the justice secretary to back 279 other MPs in signing a bill created by Scottish MP Gavin Newlands that will stop companies from using unfair fire and rehire policies.

Backed by union Unite, the cabin crew employees claim BA is using the coronavirus pandemic to fire colleagues only to rehire them with inferior contracts.

One employee, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job, said: “We’re asking Mr Buckland to sign Gavin Newlands’ fire and rehire bill which will prevent companies from firing their employees and then rehiring them on lesser contracts and terms.

“It’s a way of using the Covid pandemic for companies to get what they want, to reduce terms and conditions and drastically reduce pay of their employees.

“Already nearly 280 MPs, which is almost half, have signed. This bill will prevent what’s happening to us.

“If BA get away with it then there will be a domino effect and I’m willing to bet loads of companies will follow suit. We’re basically a test case.”

A spokesperson for Unite, which organised the protest, added: “Members have asked us to do this and it’s all over the country.

“A lot of people are losing their jobs, losing their livelihoods because apparently the companies don’t have enough money, but they do.

“Why can’t they invest in the people rather than firing and rehiring on cheaper terms and conditions. It’s a practice we don’t want happening across the country.”

The union wants the airline’s privileged landing slots at UK airports reviewed.

“Why should they have them and fly the flag of Brittain when they’re doing this. Our MPs can put the pressure on the prime minister to change it,” said the official.

Robert Buckland, who was not in his office at the time, said: “I have been contacted by concerned constituents about this issue and have written to BA and my cabinet colleagues, the secretaries of state for business and transport.”

In a statement British Airways said: “For more than 100 years British Airways has been flying millions of people around the world. Today that world remains largely closed.

“Sadly, the global pandemic has resulted in job losses across every industry. Many airlines have already made thousands of staff redundant.

“We are not immune to this crisis. We have to adapt to survive, so we will continue with the proper, lawful consultative process and we will keep inviting union representatives to discuss our proposals to the serious challenges we face.”

The firm’s financial results published in July revealed a loss of £711m in the second quarter of the year and it says it is exploring selling artwork and remortgaging aircraft to generate money.