Union seeks more talks in BA cabin crew row

The union representing British Airways cabin crew is to seek further talks with the airline after deciding it could not recommend a proposed deal aimed at ending its long-running dispute, it was announced today.

Unite had been due to put the offer to a ballot of its 11,000 members, on the understanding that leaders would recommend it for acceptance.

Tony Woodley, Unite's joint leader said: "I met today with BA cabin crew representatives. It was unanimously agreed that the last offer tabled by British Airways management in the current dispute could not be recommended to the members.

"I am therefore contacting the company with a view to reopening discussions to seek to achieve a recommendable settlement to be put to cabin crew."

The dispute flared over a year ago when BA announced plans to cut costs, including reducing crew numbers, but it later developed into a row over disciplinary action and the removal of travel concessions from workers who went on strike.

Unite members took 22 days of strike action earlier this year, costing the airline over £150 million and disrupting travel for passengers.

Under the proposed deal, the union would have to drop legal action on behalf of members who have been disciplined and agree to a period of no industrial action before the travel concessions were fully restored.

Leaders of the cabin crew branch of Unite, the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association (Bassa) decided last week that recommending the deal would be a "step too far".

The deal included plans for disciplinary cases to be considered by the conciliation service Acas, as well as the return of travel concessions, although not until 2013.