Threat of BA strikes passes

The threat of further strikes at British Airways ended when the airline agreed a deal with the transport union.

The settlement follows several weeks of negotiations after a crippling three-day strike in the summer. The Transport and General Workers' Union tabled proposals which the airline has accepted will achieve the pounds 42m in savings it wanted in its cabin crew operation. The dispute cost BA an estimated pounds 125m in July over flight cancellations, which continued for several days after the strike ended because of the large number of cabin crew workers who called in sick. Both BA and the TGWU emphasised a fresh start. Bob Ayling, the chief executive, said: "Today's agreement signals a genuinely new beginning for relations and [a] spirit of co-operation," while Bill Morris, TGWU general secretary, said: "The union and the company are committed to building a constructive long-term relationship in a spirit of partnership."