British Airways to Add More Flights for Next Strike
Talks between British Airways and Unite and a state-sponsored mediator ended without a resolution. A new five-day work stoppage is due to begin on May 30, but British Airways says that they anticipate being able to operate 70% of long haul and 55% of European routes during the stoppage. Another five-day stoppage ends today, and there is one more planned to end on June 9. This week's strike forced British Airways to cancel flights for over 25,000 people a day. The Joint Secretary General of Unite said that they might ballot members on extending the strikes beyond June 9. Talks have been going on for over a year, hinging on staffing levels and pay. In November the CEO of British Airways cut cabin crew on flights without the union's approval. He also took away travel perks from employees who participated in strikes in March, and Unite says that if he restores those perks and agrees to discuss suspensions, they will end the strike.
See "British Airways to Add More Flights for Next Strike", Steve Rothwell, Bloomberg News, May 27, 2010