BA strike dates set: March 20-22, March 27-30
The Unite union has instructed its 12,500 BA cabin crew members to stage strikes during two periods this month, running for three days from March 20 and four days from March 27.
Len McCluskey, Unite assistant general secretary, confirmed that the
The union chief said he is “willing to work with British Airways” to resolve the dispute, adding that Unite will re-ballot its members over a last-ditch offer put to BA cabin crew on Thursday.
The flag carrier has been at loggerheads with the union since late 2009, when it imposed new working conditions that reduced staffing levels by one or two crew on all BA flights.
Passengers will be offered the chance to re-book their flight at any point in the next year if their travel dates fall in the BA strike period. But as the flag carrier hopes to run a limited service during the strike dates, refunds will only be offered once flights have been officially cancelled.
Speaking to the press this morning, Mr McCluskey revealed that
The trade union boss seemed to raise hopes that the BA strike could be averted, telling journalists that Unite will consult its members over the proposal. If the 12,500 cabin crew voice support for BA’s latest offer, Mr McCluskey confirmed: “Then the strikes will be cancelled immediately.”
However, several offers have been bandied about by both sides in recent weeks, with key sticking points consistently driving a wedge between BA’s cost-cutting drive and efforts by Unite to safeguard crew privileges. The union is not advising its members to back the new offer.
BA boss Willie Walsh has taken a raft of measures to offset the impact of an expected strike, drafting in 1,000
But yesterday it emerged that BA could be battling a second strike threat over the coming weeks, fending off a new dispute with baggage handlers and ground crew. Unite will now hold a consultative ballot after a letter was sent to staff warning them of imposed changes to overtime.
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