BA staff could strike at Xmas, union warns
BA cabin crew could strike unless meeting with Unite is resolved
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Monday, 02, Nov 2009 01:50
British Airways cabin crew could strike unless a mass meeting to discuss planned job cuts and new contracts is resolved.
The union Unite have said they will announce the result of their strike ballot on December 14th, and if they vote to take action, the earliest date for a strike could be December 21st.
Staff met in Surrey today to discuss a strike ballot, with thousands of members of Unite expected to be balloted for industrial action.
The airline announced the changes after losing £401 million last year, saying a pay freeze and job losses would be necessary.
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, said: "BA faces significant difficulties across the business, so why is it also seeking a damaging confrontation with 14,000 cabin crew?
"It needs to think again and abandon plans to force through unfair, unworkable contractual changes."
A BA spokesman commented: "British Airways is facing very difficult economic conditions and is heading for a second successive year of financial losses for the first time in our history.
"Everyone within the company knows we must reduce our costs to move back towards profitability."