BA strike ON
Wednesday, 12 Mar, 2010
0
British Airways cabin crew are to strike over seven days this month – but a last ditch offer from the airline could see the walk-out being postponed.
The Unite union today confirmed industrial action will take place for three days from March 20 and four days from March 27.
Crucially, this means the union has stuck to its pledge not to dispute Easter peak holiday flights.
But the seven days of action is bound to cause massive disruption despite the airline stressing that it will make all efforts to keep aircraft flying.
The strike dates were outlined today after lengthy talks between union leaders and the airline broke down ealrier this week.
The union will also ballot members on a new offer from BA aimed at preventing strike action.
Unite is not recommending BA’s offer to its members. The ballot on the offer will take place straight away and if cabin crew vote to accept the airline’s offer, the strike action will be called off, the union said.
Unite had until Monday to announce the dates of any industrial action in the row over pay and work conditions.
BA has said it is determined to keep the airline flying by using volunteer cabin crew and chartering in aircraft.
Unite assistant general secretary and lead negotiator with BA Len McCluskey said: “The talks we have been conducting with British Airways over the entire course of this year reached a conclusion this week.
“Regrettably, management turned down a remarkable offer from the union which would have given the company everything it said it wanted while also meeting our members’ concerns.
“However, despite spurning this proposal, British Airways management finally submitted a formal offer of its own to Unite yesterday. It is welcome that the company acknowledges that negotiated agreement, not imposition, is the only way to conduct mature industrial relations at BA.
“It is right that cabin crew should be given the opportunity to consider this offer, although it falls short of what we believe is needed to address the legitimate concerns they have about crew complement and service delivery.
“Unite will therefore hold a consultative ballot of our cabin crew members to ascertain their view on the offer. We would anticipate getting the result of this consultation by the middle of next week.
“However, we are unable to recommend the offer, and are therefore also setting strike dates in accordance with the mandate the union has twice overwhelmingly secured from our members.
“Strikes are planned for March 20, 21 and 22 and further on March 27, 28, 29 and 30. There will be no strikes over the Easter period, as we already promised, but further industrial action will be called to take place after April 14 if the dispute has not been resolved.
“The consultative ballot we are holding will be concluded before the first day of industrial action is scheduled to take place.
"Should that ballot show a majority in favour of the company’s offer, then all the strike action announced today will of course be cancelled."
He added: “Should our members accept the company offer, Unite stands willing to work with British Airways to restore its industrial relations, its image and its prospects, provided we have a willing partner on the management side.
“Should they turn the proposal down then, in the absence of a better offer from the company before the dates I have announced for strike action, Unite will stand four square behind our cabin crew members in their struggle against industrial dictatorship, and we will call on the whole of the labour movement at home and abroad to stand with us.”
*Check www.travelmole.com for more developments later today.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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