Still No Agreement Between BA, Cabin Crews On Working Conditions And Workload

The UK civil aviation union Unite says it is set to begin a new industrial action ballot of cabin crew employed by British Airways, it advised the company Monday.

This move follows the failure to yet secure an agreement between the two sides on the crucial issues of imposed changes to the workload and working conditions of the airline's 13,000 cabin crew in talks which have been taking place over the past two weeks.

Cabin crew voted overwhelmingly in a ballot last December to take strike action, which was subsequently ruled unlawful by the High Court.

Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, who has led the talks for Unite this year, said: "We have been engaged in intensive discussions with the company over the last few days, but unfortunately we have not been able to secure an agreement yet."

"We therefore have to honor our commitment to give our members the voice they were denied by the courts before Christmas, and hold a fresh ballot for industrial action. In notifying the company of this, I have reiterated that we want talks to continue, and that the union is prepared to meet anyplace, anytime, to try and reach an agreement which addresses the real concerns of BA's skilled, loyal and professional employees while giving the company the savings it needs to stay airborne."

"We have told management all along that this dispute, and the damage it does to BA's prospects, can only finally be resolved through negotiation. That remains our position, and I hope the company will make the best use of the time available before the ballot closes."

Balloting will get underway in about a week. Further information about the ballot schedule will be issued as soon as possible.

FMI: www.unitetheunion.com