Possible strike action at BA as talks fail

Talks aimed at averting industrial action at British Airways (BA) have collapsed and failed to reach an agreement.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said: “Despite a prolonged period of negotiations it has not been possible to reach agreement between BA and Unite.”

Last month, BA‘s 12,000 cabin crew members voted to take industrial action over cost-cutting measures, which include a pay freeze and a switch to part-time working for thousands of staff.

Cabin crew members were scheduled to take 12 days of strike action over the Christmas period but the High Court ruled that the Unite union had not correctly included the votes of some cabin crew who had already accepted voluntary redundancy under the airline’s cost-cutting programme.

BA has admitted in the past that it is fighting for its survival and said the cost-cutting programme is part of a strategy to reduce salary costs.

However, despite the breakdown in talks, it is still unclear whether any strike action will go ahead.

Should industrial action go ahead, dates for the strike could be announced as early as today. However, Unite has ruled out striking over the Easter period.

Unite leaders are to meet later today to discuss their next move. However, BA has said it is open to further talks.

Discuss this in the Finance Markets forums

Story link: Possible strike action at BA as talks fail