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Europe / Airlines
BA talks break down with cabin crew union
By Doug Newhouse, 11 March 2010
British Airways (BA) is now bracing itself for strike action, following a break down in yesterday's eleventh-hour talks with BA cabin crew union Unite. These talks were brokered by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in an attempt to try and find some middle ground between both parties.
In a statement released last night, the TUC's General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Despite a prolonged period of negotiations it has not been possible to reach agreement between BA and Unite. Both parties will be reflecting on the position and the TUC will be keeping in touch, but at this stage no further negotiations are planned."
For its part, the Unite Union released the following statement last night: "Talks with British Airways concluded today without agreement being reached. Management's offer went nowhere near addressing our members' concerns over crew numbers and service levels. Today's talks were further impeded by gratuitously provocative statements by senior BA managers not involved in the negotiations, once more calling into question the company's interest in reaching an agreement.
"Unite representatives will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the consequences of this breakdown. Should BA wish to make an improved offer, they have time to do so."
There has been no official statement on the talks from British Airways, but there is no doubt that its management is playing hard ball on its position. As reported, the Unite union balloted around 13,000 cabin crew members on strike action last month and it now claims that 81% of the 9,000 crew who filled out ballot forms voted in favour. The union now has until March 15 to announce any proposed strike dates.
By Doug Newhouse, 11 March 2010
British Airways (BA) is now bracing itself for strike action, following a break down in yesterday's eleventh-hour talks with BA cabin crew union Unite. These talks were brokered by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in an attempt to try and find some middle ground between both parties.
In a statement released last night, the TUC's General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Despite a prolonged period of negotiations it has not been possible to reach agreement between BA and Unite. Both parties will be reflecting on the position and the TUC will be keeping in touch, but at this stage no further negotiations are planned."
For its part, the Unite Union released the following statement last night: "Talks with British Airways concluded today without agreement being reached. Management's offer went nowhere near addressing our members' concerns over crew numbers and service levels. Today's talks were further impeded by gratuitously provocative statements by senior BA managers not involved in the negotiations, once more calling into question the company's interest in reaching an agreement.
"Unite representatives will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the consequences of this breakdown. Should BA wish to make an improved offer, they have time to do so."
There has been no official statement on the talks from British Airways, but there is no doubt that its management is playing hard ball on its position. As reported, the Unite union balloted around 13,000 cabin crew members on strike action last month and it now claims that 81% of the 9,000 crew who filled out ballot forms voted in favour. The union now has until March 15 to announce any proposed strike dates.
News related to "British Airways;Unite;TUC"
• BA reports big operating loss
(30 July 2010)
• Heathrow looks set for another record year (29 July 2010)
• BA union takes legal action (27 July 2010)
• Australian is first Changi monthly winner (27 July 2010)
• BA cabin crew may strike (21 July 2010)
• Heathrow looks set for another record year (29 July 2010)
• BA union takes legal action (27 July 2010)
• Australian is first Changi monthly winner (27 July 2010)
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