Strikes could go ahead from next week
The UK Court of Appeal today (May 20) lifted the ban on strikes by BA cabin crew.
A series of five-day stoppages now look to go ahead, possibly starting next Monday.
Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said he was “delighted” by the decision.
BA said it was “very disappointed.”
Judges at the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London voted 2-1 in favour of lifting the injunction imposed on the union Unite on Monday.
In an early reaction to the court decision, Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite which represents the majority of BA cabin crew, was quoted by the BBC as saying:
"This is not a moment for being triumphant. We shouldn't have been in this process.
"The case brought by BA was trivial and, in my opinion, irresponsible."
Unite’s first strike had been due to start on Tuesday, May 18 but was stopped by the injunction.
Other strikes are scheduled for Monday, May 24, May 30 and June 5.
Mr Woodley said: "We are delighted to have won today. Justice has been secured. Had it not been, the right to strike would now be hanging by a thread.
"BA must now accept that negotiation not litigation is the only way to secure the settlement we all want.
“However, further strikes will be unavoidable if the company does not immediately work with us to address the outstanding issues.
"This is a pause for peace. Willie Walsh must make the most of it."
The full BA statement read: “We are very disappointed that Unite's appeal has been upheld, reintroducing the threat of strike action.
“Our key concern now is to keep as many of you flying as possible and we will be proceeding with our contingency plans.
“We would like to apologise to any of you who are affected by the strike. We will do all we can to minimise the disruption to you.
“Please do not come to the airport unless you have a confirmed booking.
The airline had successfully claimed in the High Court on Monday that the Unite ballot had not stuck to the letter of the law and that any strike would therefore be illegal.
But the airline said earlier this week that it planned to run 70% of it services during any stoppage with operations at Gatwick and London City Airports unaffected.
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