10th March 2010
Talks between British Airways and the Unite trade union are at a
deadlock as the airline makes a last-ditch attempt at avoiding a
strike.
BA has responded to the Unite trade union's offer of a 2.6%
pay-cut followed two-year freeze on pay with a counter-offer of its
own terms.
However, sources suggest that the union and its cabin crew arm,
BASSA, are not happy with BA's counter-move. It is thought they do
not feel BA is going far enough in its offer to partially repeal
its plans to cut jobs.
A deadline to reach an agreement in a row over jobs, pay and
working practices was extended to 5pm today but both sides are
reportedly willing to further extend negotiations if a deal is in
sight.
But BASSA last night warned that strike action is looking
increasingly likely. In an email to its 12,000 members, BASSA
representatives said: "It would appear that at this stage it is
also increasingly unlikely that an agreement will be reached."
Unite will have to give seven days' notice of any strike action
and would have until next Monday, March 15, to make an announcement
on when it intends to stage a walkout.
Although the union has ruled out industrial action over the busy
Easter weekend, any BA strike will likely cause chaos for thousands
of passengers.
BA maintains that a "substantial" service will operate and has
trained 1,000 staff to work as cabin crew if a strike goes
ahead.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh also revealed that the airline
would also hire 23 fully-crewed planes from charter companies to
help run flights in the event of a strike.
In the event of industrial action BA states on its website that:
"Customers will be able to rebook, free of charge and subject to
availability, onto other British Airways flights outside of the
strike period for up to 355 days from the original date of
travel.
Refunds will only be available if flights are actually cancelled
or if the original booking conditions allow."
Useful links:
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cancellation compensation
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