New offer from BA bids to end crew dispute

British Airways has made a revised offer to the Unite trade union in an effort to end the long-running cabin crew dispute.

The loss-making airline says the offer aims to address crews' concerns about future earnings and includes a firm commitment that crew can keep current pay and conditions. Bill Francis, BA's head of cabin crew, said: "We have changed our offer in line with feedback we have received from crew and we genuinely believe that it can end this dispute."

But the offer was met with scepticism from Unite. Joint general secretary Derek Simpson said: "While we are not at all optimistic that this offer provides a basis for resolution of the dispute, we will of course be considering it." BA this week advertised for 1,000 more Heathrow-based crew, offering far lower pay than existing crews at the hub.