British Airways’ long-running industrial dispute with its “mixed fleet” cabin crew is set for a “pause” after months of strikes.
Members of Unite have so far taken 85 days of strike action in the dispute with BA over salary levels for cabin crew, including nearly two months of continuous industrial action throughout July and August.
The latest stoppage is due to end on Wednesday (August 30) and Unite have yet to announce any further dates for industrial action.
Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey has written to BA’s CEO Alex Crux suggesting a “pause for peace” to allow further negotiations to take place between the two sides.
“You will be aware that we have not issued any further notice for strike action which will currently end on August 30,” said McCluskey in his letter to Cruz.
“This is in order to create a ‘pause for peace’ so that our respective teams can get around the table with a view to securing a mutually accepted resolution to the current dispute.
“Given the nature and length of the dispute I am more than willing to involve myself in any future talks with you and would ask that the company looks at a number of dates from August 31 onwards.”
British Airways said that its customers have been “able to fly to their destinations” during the latest two-week stoppage.
The airline has been leasing aircraft from Qatar Airways to help maintain services, although BA said that “a very small number” of Heathrow services have been “merged”.