No peace talks arranged so far
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British Airways: facing Christmas stoppage |
BA was today (December 15) looking at ways to offset the potential devastating impact of a 12-day strike by its cabin crew.
Among the options being considered are re-working schedules and possible legal action against the cabin crew's union Unite.
But while both sides have called for more talks, a spokesman for the UK national carrier said no meetings has so far been fixed.
About one million passengers are set to have their journeys cancelled during the strike from December 22 to January 2 over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
BA also warned that if the strike went ahead, flights during the 48 hours before and after the stoppage would also be affected.
The BA spokesman said details of any re-worked schedule would be announced as soon as possible.
If there were cancellations, passengers could re-book, re-route or get a refund.
If passengers opted for a refund, it would cost the loss making carrier millions in re-payments.
But while the airline has not ruled out legal action against Unite, the spokesman stressed that "no action" had been taken and it was "not a definite".
The dispute is over BA's decision to cut cabi9n crew form 15 to 14 on long haul Boeing 747 flights.
Unite claims this is a change in working practices and was implemented without consulting the union.
It has begun legal action against BA and the case is due to be heard in the New Year.
Unite called a strike ballot of its 12,000 cabin crew members at BA and the result, announced yesterday (December) show a nine to one majority in favour of striking on an 80% turn out.
Len McCluskey, Unite's assistant general secretary, said: "We have taken this decision to disrupt passengers with a heavy heart and we are hoping that the company can still avoid it happening."
But BA which is also seeking redundancies said it would not back down on its stance.
The airline which reported a £292m loss in the first half of its current financial year said it was "extremely disappointed that Unite is planning massive disruption for hundreds of thousands of our customers over the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
"A 12-day strike would be completely unjustified and a huge over-reaction to the modest changes we have announced for cabin crew which are intended to help us recover from record financial losses.
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Walsh: refusing to back down |
"Unite's cynical decision betrays a total lack of concern for our customers, our business and other employees within British Airways."
The airline said its offer to cabin crew was "very fair and reasonable" adding: "It reduces no-one's terms and conditions, and gives most crew pay rises of between two and seven per cent this year and next year.
"British Airways' cabin crew are already the best rewarded in the UK airline industry."
Willie Walsh, BA's ceo, said: "A strike is senseless - and we urge Unite to draw back. We will not be reversing our changes to onboard crew numbers.
"They have allowed us to accept more than 1,000 requests for voluntary redundancy - and those former colleagues have left the business.
"Unite must understand that there can be no return to the old, inefficient ways if we want to ensure long-term survival in the interests of our customers, shareholders and all our staff.
"They have no justification for threatening such extreme action. It is very sad that they are seeking to use the Christmas holiday plans and family reunions of hundreds of thousands of people to try to pursue their case."
The British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association, a section of Unite, said : "We are deeply saddened to have reached the point where we must take industrial action to get our voices heard, but feel that we have been left with no other choice," it said.
"We do not want to cause inconvenience, so even at this late stage we offer an opportunity for disruption not to occur."
In an earlier statement, Bassa said it was conscious that stoppages would disrupt passengers planning to take holidays or visit friends or relatives during the festive season.
But it also criticised the airline for making cuts which would reduce the quality of service to passengers.
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