Unite today announced strikes are planned for 20, 21 and 22 March and 27, 28, 29 and 30 March, and that further industrial action will be called to take place after 14 April if the dispute has not been resolved.
The union's assistant general secretary and lead negotiator with BA, Len McCluskey, said members will have a chance to vote on BA’s latest formal offer – which Unite does not recommend.
‘The consultative ballot we are holding will be concluded before the first day of industrial action is scheduled to take place,’ he said.
‘Should that ballot show a majority in favour of the company’s offer, then all the strike action announced today will of course be cancelled.’
BA said Unite’s plans will cause massive disruption for hundreds of thousands of customers in the run-up to the Easter holidays.
It added: ‘Unite’s action has no shred of justification.
‘Unlike other businesses, we have avoided compulsory redundancies and made changes designed to secure a long-term future for our company and our staff. Cabin crew face no pay cut or reduction in terms and conditions – and remain the best rewarded in the UK airline industry.’
The airline claimed all proposals put forward by Unite fall significantly short of saving the required £60m a year.
However, McCluskey said: ‘Regrettably, management turned down a remarkable offer from the union which would have given the company everything it said it wanted while also meeting our members’ concerns.
‘This offer gives the lie to the smears that these skilled and professional employees are mindless militants indifferent to BA’s difficulties, or are defending a privileged position.
‘The company contests our calculations, but quibbles over the precise costing of our concessions pale into insignificance compared to the losses that BA will sustain in the event of an industrial dispute.’
John Tangney, chairman of the aviation committee of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, commented: 'Does the Unite trade union not realise we’ve just been though one of the worst recessions in living memory?
'At least its members currently have jobs, unlike many in the travel industry. There are many hundreds of people who would love to be in the shoes of its members with a secure job.'
See also:
BA and union negotiations continue (05/03/2010)
BA turns up the pressure (04/03/2010)
Strike dates on hold as BA/crew talks continue (26/02/2010)
Poll shows scant sympathy for BA crew (24/02/2010)