BA crews voting over new industrial action

British Airways cabin crew started voting today on whether to take fresh industrial action in their long-running dispute with the airline.

Unite said ballot papers are being sent to more than 10,000 of its members, warning that the bitter row was "deepening".

The dispute was originally over cost-cutting measures, but worsened after BA withdrew travel concessions against cabin crew who went on strike earlier this year and took disciplinary action against some union members.

Tony Woodley, Unite's joint general secretary, said: "When this dispute started, the issue was making savings to help the company through a very difficult period for the industry.

"The union offered multi-million pound concessions which all but met management's requirements. BA however preferred imposition, provoking a dispute which has cost the company vastly greater sums and done great damage to its reputation.

"The dispute has been prolonged by vindictive measures directed against cabin crew. In recent months, BA has put nearly 70 loyal workers through hell and sacked 13 of them because they supported their union. This is surely unprecedented in modern day British corporate life.

"BA knows what it must to do stop this dispute from escalating. The issues between us would cost BA not a single penny to resolve. It is now a matter of them showing the leadership to get back round the table with us to settle this through negotiation."

The ballot will close on January 21.