BA and Unite dispute impact of strike action
Sunday, 22 Mar, 2010
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A war or words has broken out between the union involved in the British Airways cabin crew strike and the airline.
BA said its contingency plans up to yesterday – the second day of the three day walk out – were continuing to work well with additional flights added from both Heathrow and Gatwick.
A full Boeing 777 long haul programme was continuing to be operated from the UK to more than 30 destinations.
“Several” extra Boeing 747 flights were also being run, due to the numbers of crew reporting for work.
“Our charter operators are also continuing to work well and are integrating with our own short haul flying schedules at Heathrow and Gatwick,” BA said.
“On Sunday, cabin crew are continuing to report as normal at Gatwick, and Heathrow levels remain above what we need to operate our published schedule.
“We continue to offer the fullest support to our cabin crew who want to work as normal.”
There has been “no evidence” of industrial action at any overseas airport directed at BA flights, the airline added.
But the Unite union disputed the BA account, saying 140 aircraft were parked up at Heathrow and only nine crew out of 1,1000 turned up for work yesterday. BA dismissed this claim.
Unite said that as of 15.30 yesterday only nine flights from Heathrow left with passengers and 49 long haul departures were “ghost flights” with no passengers.
Long haul flights were also suffering delays.
Picket lines were swelled on Sunday, according to the union.
Of 77 flights scheduled for today (Monday), 37 are empty, 37 are ready to go and only three are running as normal, Unite claimed.
The final day of the first three-day walk out is today and a second four-day strike is due to start at the weekend.
Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley is visit BA cabin crew today (Monday) as they take their third day of strike action.
He will visit crew on picket lines before addressing those gathered at Bedfont near Heathrow.
*See yesterday’s messge to passengers from BA chief executive Willie Walsh on YouTube:
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