BA cabin crew consider new offer from airline
12.05.11
BA cabin crew union leaders are meeting later to consider an offer which could end the long-running dispute between British Airways and some cabin crew, the BBC reports. It says that Unite union leaders are ‘content’ with a deal that has been negotiated during talks with BA. If those at the Heathrow meeting back the offer, a formal ballot of union members could be held within weeks.
This dispute began in 2009 over pay and staffing on long haul flights, but the loss of travel benefits for all those who went out on strike and disciplinary action against some striking staff later became key issues in one of the most bitter and prolonged industrial disputes of recent years. But a change of personnel at the top of both BA and the Unite union gave fresh impetus to resolving the row.
New talks got under way in March, after the cabin crew members of Unite voted in favour of a further round of industrial action, and the BBC reports that the new deal covers the key disciplinary action and travel benefits issues. It should also lift the threat of any further disruption to BA flights this summer.
A spokesman for the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association - a branch of Unite - confirmed that ‘talks have now concluded to the satisfaction of both parties’. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, who has held talks with BA chief executive Keith Williams, will address a mass meeting of union members today and the union leadership is expected to recommend they accept the offer. If they do, a formal ballot will be held, with the result expected in July.
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