Police called to BA strike talks

Police were called to the negotiations between British Airways managers and union leaders yesterday after demonstrators disrupted the talks. A second series of strikes by cabin crew appeared likely to start tomorrow after the two sides failed last night to hammer out a last-ditch deal.

They spent yesterday locked in talks in an effort to avert 15 days of strike action which could cost the airline £100m. The talks between Tony Woodley, joint leader of the Unite union, and BA chief executive Willie Walsh were held at the conciliation service Acas in central London.

Mr Woodley said a deal could be done without costing BA – which announced record losses of £531m last Friday – any money.

Acas chief conciliator Peter Harwood said the weekend offered "a window of opportunity" to reach a negotiated settlement.