Second wave of BA strikes set to run till Tuesday

Friday 26th March 2010

Strikes by British Airways cabin crew are set to resume at midnight tonight with the airline and trade union Unite no closer to reaching an agreement.

The strikes are set to last four days although BA has claimed 75 per cent of people who have booked between Saturday and Tuesday will be able to fly despite the disruption.

The airline claims the lack of disruption is due to the number of staff prepared to cross picket lines and work. It also claims a further 18 per cent of travellers have been booked onto flights with alternative airlines or have made other travel arrangements.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh, who was has been accused by some academics of trying to break the union, said: "The vast majority of British Airways staff, including thousands of cabin crew, are pulling together to serve our customers and keep our flag flying."

The four day strikes follow a three day strike last weekend but the airline said it will be able to run a full operation from London's Gatwick and City airports. At London's Heathrow Airport, BA will be able to run up to 55 per cent of its short-haul flights and up to 70 per cent of its long-haul flights.

BA have delivered on their threat to strip cabin crew of their travel perks which allow them to book flights at 90 per cent less than customers usually pay.

The move by BA has provoked anger from Unite who branded it "vindictive" and have said reinstating the perks would be crucial for any deal to be reached.

In a letter to their members Unite joint leaders Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley wrote: "The withdrawal of travel concessions from crew who have been on strike represents unacceptable anti-union bullying. Any agreement to end this dispute must and will include a framework for the full restoration of those travel concessions."

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