BA calls in Acas as cabin crew set strike dates

British Airways cabin crew plan to walk out for three days next week in a dispute over sickness, pay and staffing issues.

Two further three-day strikes have been threatened for February in addition to the planned strike on January 29-31.

The second strike date has been confirmed for February 5-7, followed by a third on February 12-14.

BA today called on conciliation service Acas to help avert the potential strike action.

The airline said it was willing to meet Acas officials at any time “to explore means of resolving the dispute and removing the threat of disruption to the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of customers”.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “A strike would be completely unnecessary and unjustified. I am convinced we can settle the issues at the centre of this dispute through sensible discussion and negotiation.

“Unfortunately because of the nature of the demands put forward by the T&G cabin crew union in recent days, we have not yet been able to find a solution – or engage in the kind of positive dialogue we have achieved with other groups of employees.

“We believe the answer must come through discussion, not confrontation – so we have asked Acas to assist us in taking the process forward.”

The union described the next 48-72 hours as crucial if the first strike is to be called off.

The strike dates were announced after cabin crew voted unanimously for action due to ongoing grievances (See previous TravelMole story).

BA said it will allow passengers booked to fly between Monday, January 29 and Friday, February 16 to change the date of their trip.

A BA statement said: “We remain committed to the search for a peaceful outcome to this dispute and we urge the union to withdraw this totally unjustified strike threat to give negotiations the fullest chance of success.

“Despite its public rhetoric, the union in private remains resolute in its refusal to talk with us about any degree of change for our cabin crew.”

The airline added: “We want to negotiate new ways of working with cabin crew, as we have with other staff groups within British Airways, to help put the airline in better shape to succeed in a dynamic, highly competitive global industry.

“We have recognised the genuine concerns of our cabin crew about our absence management policy and, at the T&G’s request, have tabled serious proposals to change the way the policy is applied to cabin crew.

“However in our discussions so far, the T&G has hardened its stance. Its latest position includes a demand for a significant pay increase and a return to the excessive levels of absence experienced before our absence management policy was introduced.

“The union is now asking for a relaxation of the policy, which would see average cabin crew absence rise back toward 22 days a year.

“The union’s demand for revised pay scales would involve rises of up to 18%.

“Additional demands on a range of other issues from the T&G would increase the company’s annual cost by £37 million through extra staffing and allowances and seriously undermine our competitiveness.

“The T&G should pause to reflect before leading our cabin crew down a path of confrontation that can serve no positive purpose.”

Report by Phil Davies