Strike threat still on at BA as court date pushed to next year
BRITISH AIRWAYS’ (BA) staff will still be balloted on strike action over the Christmas period, despite the union’s legal challenge to new contracts being delayed.
The Unite union had requested a High Court injunction to block new working patterns, which BA is enforcing as it seeks desperately to cut costs at the airline, but the trial will now not happen until 1 February.
Its staff yesterday grudgingly agreed to “unwillingly” work the new hours from 16 November, when they are introduced, but Unite stressed it would still ballot for industrial action.
If the ballot is successful, cabin crew will down tools over the festive period; a massive blow to an airline which desperately needs passengers.
The strike vote results will be known on 14 December.
BA, which is poised to announced a second consecutive loss today for the first time since it was privatised in the 1980s, wants to cut the number of crew on its long-haul flights and freeze pay in a move which it says are essential for it to survive. Unite says the contract changes are illegal, and that it would seek damages “for all of those working on crews which have had their numbers cut from 16 November”.
Following the court announcement, BA said it was pleased “to be able to proceed with the changes we have announced to cabin crew working, which we have been discussing with Unite for the last nine months”.
It added that the changes were fair and reasonable, and called on Unite to end the strike ballot.