BA strike decision expected shortly

Dates for the BA strike will be announced by this Friday (5 March) at the latest if the Unite union decides to proceed with its threat of industrial action, sources have claimed.

Talks between the union and BA management have been ongoing for days after cabin crew inflicted the BA strike threat on passengers by a majority vote of 81 per cent last week.

Since then there have been conflicting reports about efforts to head off the BA strike, with union bosses hailing “some movement” but few pundits predicting an imminent breakthrough.

Ken Ablard of BASSA, an off-shoot of Unite, told Channel 4 that a deadline is looming.

“I understand that our negotiating team certainly felt there had been some movement in the talks with BA, that’s why the members were prepared to extend the deadline until this Friday,” he said. “By the end of the week there will be a decision, either a negotiation agreed, or actual strike dates announced.”

Passengers have been left in limbo by the protracted discussions, which were initially seen as an encouraging sign that a deal might be reached between BA and Unite.

Both sides are known to favour an amicable resolution to the industrial dispute, with airline boss Willie Walsh mindful of the damage that the BA strike threat has already caused to consumer confidence in the airline. For its part, Unite is wary of a severe public backlash if walkouts go ahead.

A recent consumer poll by Cheapflights found that just one in five passengers have href="http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/2010/02/ba-strike-one-in-five-passengers-back-cabin-crew-walsh/">sympathy for BA cabin crew, who are complaining about changes to their working conditions.

In addition to the lack of public support for the BA strike, the High Court has twice ruled in favour of the flag carrier. In December it blocked a proposed 12-day strike over Christmas due to improper balloting procedures, and last month it threw out Unite’s complaint that new working conditions were illegal.

Analysts are speculating that Unite has now shifted strategy to face-saving, with union bosses gradually coming to terms with the wall of public, judicial and media opposition to their cause.

BA strike action would have to begin by March 22 at the latest under Unite’s current  mandate. Industrial relations law obliges the union to give seven days notice prior to walkouts.

© Cheapflights Ltd (Creative Commons image: href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/monstermunch/3145165164/" target="_blank">Andy Mitchell / Flickr)