BA handed notice of new cabin crew strike vote

The union representing British Airways cabin crew today gave the airline formal seven days notice of its intention to hold a fresh strike ballot in its long-running dispute with the company.

Unite said its members will start voting on December 21 on whether to launch a new campaign of industrial action, with the ballot closing on January 21.

The two sides have been embroiled in a bitter row for more than a year, initially over cost-cutting measures, but more recently over the removal of travel concessions from cabin crew who took part in strikes earlier this year.

The union also wants binding arbitration of all cases of disciplinary action taken against union members involved in industrial action.

Unite joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: "British Airways knows what it must do to end this dispute. Four of the five outstanding issues are no-cost issues for BA and are about treating cabin crew with dignity, respect and ending the climate of persecution.

"The fifth item is about stopping BA from imposing a near-minimum waged workforce and killing BA's brand.

"Unite is still open to talks but BA must appreciate the strength of feeling across the airline about how badly they've handled this dispute. BA must get serious and work with us to settle the issues before us."

Unite said its strike ballot was over the following outstanding issues.

:: The immediate restoration of staff travel concessions.

:: Binding arbitration through conciliation service Acas of all cabin crew disciplinary cases related to the original dispute.

:: The restoration of all earnings docked from crew who were genuinely off sick during strike dates.

:: Full and proper discussion of the trade union facilities agreement at the company with the immediate removal of all threats and sanctions made by BA in relation to this.

Unite said it was also in dispute with BA because of the introduction of staff on different terms and conditions without the agreement of the union.

Cabin crew took 22 days of strike action earlier this year, costing the airline over £150 million.