But the issue was that it is a choice.

We started a program where senior executives and captains take 4 weeks unpaid leave, managers and fos take 3 weeks, supervisors 2 weeks, and ground staff 1 week. It is taken out over a 6 month period. We are not given a choice if we want to work for free or take the leave, the leave must be taken at some stage.

For someone like my boss who has maxed out his retirement and has money in the bank, it is a tax bonus to work for free for a month so he wants the money taken out straight away rather than over 6 months.

I dare say this is why people are given choice... at BA you can take the leave and not be paid, or work and not be paid. I don't think it is fair to say being "forced to work for free" - this is lying by omission