5th March 2010
Thousands of holidaymakers face yet another delay to find out
whether their plans will be affected by potential BA strike
action.
An announcement on the strike was expected to be announced
today, but union Unite have now given British Airways the weekend
to consider the latest proposals to bring an end to the row.
Ken Ablard, a spokesman for the British Airlines Stewards and
Stewardesses Association - the cabin crew arm of the Unite union -
said: "It's my understanding that the negotiating team are going to
give BA the proposal to think about over the weekend - they have
extended the deadline.
"As far as we are concerned this proposal gives them the saving
that they (BA) wanted to make - about £58m.
"There has been a feeling that the BA negotiating team seem to
be onside with this, but that (BA chief executive) Walsh doesn't
want to.
"One of the chief negotiators I have spoken to believes the
proposal to BA is very generous. But if it is not accepted there
will be a strike.
"So as it stands, the final decision will be announced on Monday
or Tuesday - this will be strike dates or the news that an
agreement has been reached."
BA cabin crew voted in favour of strike action last month, with
some calling for 12-day walkout over the busy Easter holidays
period. They are revolting against BA plans to freeze pay and cut
around 1,700 cabin crew jobs.
Earlier this week BA chief executive, Willie Walsh, revealed
that the airline had already trained 1,000 ground staff to replace
striking cabin crew, and hopes to train up to 5,000 more, in a bid
to minimize any disruption.
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, described
Mr Walsh's action as "inflammatory and confrontational".
He said: "The only way to resolve the issues before us is
negotiation. They will certainly not be addressed by attempting to
intimidate employers."
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