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• BA cabin crew vote nine to one for strike action
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BA cabin crew vote nine to one for strike action

14th December 2009

Unite the union, the biggest union in aviation, today (Monday) announced that a ballot of over 12,000 cabin crew at British Airways revealed an overwhelming vote for strike action in a dispute over the imposition of sweeping changes to working practices.

92.4 percent of all those who returned their ballot forms voted yes to industrial action on an 80 percent turnout.

Twelve consecutive days of strike action have been announced, beginning on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 and lasting until Saturday, January 2nd, 2010.

Announcing the strike action, Unite assistant general secretary Len McCluskey appealed to BA's management to begin talks immediately to resolve the dispute: "It goes without saying that we have taken the decision to disrupt passengers and customers over the Christmas period with a heavy heart.  We sincerely hope that the strength of this vote will make BA think again and talk in earnest with us about how this disruption can be averted.

"We want a thriving, efficient BA, one which remains true to its passenger service standards, but it seems crazy logic to us that a company in such difficulties refuses the significant cost savings proposed by staff in favour of imposition and confrontation.  We will discuss with BA any issue, even those our members find very difficult to accept, but we say please do not force us into a corner.

"We urge BA and its board to take a pause, step back and work with us to find a way forward.  Negotiation is the way to resolve this dispute and we are ready anytime, any place, 24 hours a day to get back round the table to find a solution."

The dispute was triggered by the imposition in November by BA of new working practices, which would see between one and three crew members taken off flights, in the process hitting the customer service standards for which the airline is known.  BA's imposition also dismantles long-standing collective agreements which govern working arrangements and payment structures.  With 75 per cent of crew earning £20,000 after many years service, allowances make up a considerable portion of their earnings. 

ENDS