More claim and counter claim over BA cabin crew strike impact
British Airways is making "hyped-up claims" to be running a functioning operation, cabin crew union Unite has claimed.
BA countered by saying 70% of long haul and 55% of short haul flights operated as normal.
The airline had expected to fly three quarters of passengers booked through the second round of strike action – for four days ending tomorrow.
Of approximately 240,000 passengers originally booked to travel in the strike period, the airline expected to fly more than 180,000.
A further 18% were rebooked to travel on other carriers, or changed the dates of their BA flights to avoid the strike period.
Several thousand passengers brought forward their departures to last Friday, BA said.
During Unite’s first round of industrial action last weekend, almost 60% of rostered cabin crew ignored the strike call and reported for work.
BA had pledged to fly a full normal schedule from Gatwick and London City airports over the four days.
At Heathrow, the airline aimed to run 70% of its long-haul programme (up from 60% in the first strike period) and 55% of its short-haul programme (up from 30%).
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "The vast majority of British Airways staff, including thousands of cabin crew, are pulling together to serve our customers and keep our flag flying.
"At the same time, I feel really sorry for those customers whose plans have been ruined by Unite’s completely unjustified action. Despite the union’s promises, this strike has affected the Easter holiday plans of thousands of hard-working people."
Unite assistant general secretary Len McCluskey said: "BA’s bullying is backfiring. Instead of being cowed by their employer’s aggression, cabin crew are striking forcing BA to cancel ever growing numbers of flights.
*Unite announced is seeking legal advice on BA’s attempts to deny striking crew pay for days other than strike days, and on a move by the airline to deem sick workers as strikers and withdraw their pay and travel concessions.
*See Saturday’s YuoTube message by Willie Walsh: http://www.youtube.com/flybritishairways#p/u/0/RNrAq0lu9jQ
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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