British Airways' cabin crew dispute continues as talks hit hurdle

Unite Union stated (27-Apr-2010) it remains in dispute with British Airways after the failure of negotiations with the company to produce an "acceptable" agreement to end the company's confrontation with its cabin crew. The union will ballot its 12,000 cabin crew members on the company's latest offer, with a strong recommendation they reject it. The union added that, in view of the continuing disruption to BA's operations caused by the Icelandic volcano eruption and the fact that many passengers remain stranded abroad, it is not announcing any further strike dates at this stage. The consultative ballot of BA cabin crew members will be conducted in the course of the next week. [more]

Unite: "It is disappointing that talks with the company have concluded without producing an agreement we can recommend to cabin crew. However, the blame for this rests exclusively with an intransigent management which is determined to attack trade unionism and persecute its employees who supported the lawful strike action taken last month...I believe British Airways is seeking to break trade unionism among its cabin crew by a process of bullying and humiliation. This we cannot and will not accept...At a time when British Airways needs stability, and when agreement was in reach, [Walsh] has decided to put it all at risk for the sake of management machismo and a desire for revenge. So I am asking all British Airways cabin crew to stand up for their union and their own sense of dignity and self-respect and reject the offer in the forthcoming ballot. Should they do so, I hope management will at last come to its senses and negotiate a sensible agreement," Tony Woodley, Unite Joint General Secretary. Source: Company Statement, 27-Apr-2010.