Flight disruptions are imminent next week as British Airways cabin crew rejected a deal to end the ongoing dispute over poor pay. According to Unite, the union representing the striking workers, members overwhelmingly voted against the offer by 7 to 1. Tuesday, January 10 will see the cabin staff stage a 48-hour walk-out which could affect a few flights.
A strike planned for Christmas Day and Boxing Day was suspended following talks at the conciliatory service, Acas.
Only a section of BA‘s cabin crew, called mixed fleet cabin crew, is involved in the dispute. They fly both long and short haul flights. The staff who joined the airline in recent years allegedly receive lower pay than other staff, which the union says is unfair and must be addressed.
National officer Oliver Richardson said: "British Airways is needlessly provoking strike action by refusing to extend the mandate of the strike ballot and allow meaningful talks to take place.
"Instead of listening to why its 'mixed fleet' cabin crew rejected the offer negotiated at Acas, British Airways has sought instead to try and bully a workforce of young men and women who are trying to eke out a living on poverty pay.
"Such game-playing and a desire to seek confrontation is not only a great disservice to passengers, but shows an unwillingness by British Airways to engage in constructive industrial relations.
"Unite remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement which meets our members' aspirations can be achieved and would urge British Airways to engage constructively in meaningful talks to address poverty pay."
Seeing as mixed fleet crew members exclusively work at Heathrow, BA flights to and from Stansted, Gatwick and London City airports will not be affected. Destinations likely to be affected by the strike are: Moscow, Prague, Lisbon, Chicago, Cape Town and Singapore among others.