Waiting game finally over for BA passengers
The Unite union has instructed its 12,500 BA cabin crew members to stage strikes during two periods this month, running for three days from March 20 and four days from March 27.
Len McCluskey, Unite assistant general secretary, confirmed that the BA strike will go ahead as feared after negotiations with BA management collapsed this week.
The union chief said he is "willing to work with British Airways" to resolve the dispute, adding that Unite will re-ballot its members over a last-ditch offer put to BA cabin crew on Thursday.
The flag carrier has been at loggerheads with the union since late 2009, when it imposed new working conditions that reduced staffing levels by one or two crew on all BA flights.
Passengers will be offered the chance to re-book their flight at any point in the next year if their travel dates fall in the BA strike period. But as the flag carrier hopes to run a limited service during the strike dates, refunds will only be offered once flights have been officially cancelled.
Speaking to the press this morning, Mr McCluskey revealed that BA cabin crew will be re-ballotted about a new offer from the airline with the results due next Wednesday.
The trade union boss seemed to raise hopes that the BA strike could be averted, telling journalists that Unite will consult its members over the proposal. If the 12,500 cabin crew voice support for BA's latest offer, Mr McCluskey confirmed: "Then the strikes will be cancelled immediately."
However, several offers have been bandied about by both sides in recent weeks, with key sticking points consistently driving a wedge between BA's cost-cutting drive and efforts by Unite to safeguard crew privileges. The union is not advising its members to back the new offer.
In a further blow to passengers, BA boss Willie Walsh this afternoon responded to the strike announcement by telling the BBC that the airline's latest offer has now been revoked.
The BA chief executive is known to have taken a raft of measures to offset the impact of an expected strike, drafting in 1,000 volunteer cabin crew from across the company.
But yesterday it emerged that BA could be battling a second strike threat over the coming weeks, fending off a new dispute with baggage handlers and ground crew. Unite will now hold a consultative ballot after a letter was sent to staff warning them of imposed changes to overtime.
© Cheapflights Ltd (Creative Commons image: StartAgain / Flickr)
Comments:
Manny, UK - 12 March, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I am actually appalled by this move, because the reality is if BA Cabin Crew do not like their pay and conditions, they can go and find jobs elsewhere as there are at least 1.5 million unemployed people in the UK to step into their roles.
In this current climate Cabin Crew should count themselves lucky they have a job, not many people out there are as lucky. As far as I am aware, this strike is all about a proposed reduction in crew numbers, reducing cabin crew on a 747 by one and a pay freeze. The exact same things that many companies have been doing since the economy came crumbling down on us. What makes BA Cabin Crew special? Oh yes, they have a Union. A privilege not shared by many.
My ranting is because we have booked and paid for return flights on BA for 6 of us (two adults and 4 children) to fly out on 31st March for 12 days. Not only is this a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and our children, I am travelling to see my sick mother and to introduce my new family to my parents. To say I am outraged is an understatement. Unfortunately for us, BA is the only direct flight (we need it with children aged between 5 and 14) and we had already purchased our tickets prior to them announcing the possible strikes.
This is now becoming silly. The fact is BA, like many other companies are in a financial situation that warrants a reduction in cost. Would the BA Cabin Crew prefer it if BA was to go bust? What would happen to all their jobs then? Enough is Enough.
Paddy Phelan - 12 March, 2010 at 1:49 pm
They're crazy. I would never book with BA now. Too unreliable.
Derek Brown - 12 March, 2010 at 4:59 pm
The cabin crew should look at the history of Union led strikes over the last 2 decades to realise that they will come off the ones who will sadly lose. Just remember the coalminers strike, the newspaper 'Wapping Dispute'. BA cabin crew are extremely well paid, with plenty of perks, and the Union barons will not lose their cushy salary and perks. By the way I booked flights to Marseille last November for travelling this month. I could have booked Ryanair or EasyJet, but decided to fly the flag as a preference.
Martin Lee - 12 March, 2010 at 5:40 pm
It's not about pay disputes, its about the airline reducing the number of workers on board each flight. The cabin crew have offered a pay cut to stop this from happening. It's about saving £60m and the crews are all for this. How can we expect a good level of service if the cabin crew numbers are reduced?
mr j.d.lindsay - 25 March, 2010 at 9:23 am
My daughter has booked flight number BA0064 from Nairobi to Heathrow on 30th March. In view of the proposed strike can you confirm if this flight will be leaving at 11.30pm?
Martin Rivers - 25 March, 2010 at 9:41 am
Hi Mr Lindsay, BA has released its updated flight schedule for the strike period and your daughter's flight is still going ahead. The current scheduled departure time is 11.40pm. Keep checking the airline's flight status page for the latest updates. Regards, Martin