British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a dispute over pay and rules on reporting for work when sick.
More than 90% of the 8,000 T&G union members backed a walk-out, threatening the first strike by BA crew for 10 years.
Airline and union are due to meet this week in an effort to reach a deal. The union must give seven days notice of any action and has yet to decide what this might involve.
But the two sides appear way apart, with the union complaining of a breakdown in relations. It claims BA has capped pay rates at £10,000 a year below previous levels and complains crew members must report for work when sick.
Union general secretary Jack Dromey said: “The airline has gone too far. BA must rebuild trust by negotiating rather than imposing change.”
BA expressed disappointment at the threat of disruption. It also faces opposition among cabin crew and check-in staff to a deal on pensions agreed with its trade union forum last week.
Pilots’ representatives have welcomed a deal to plug a £2.1 billion hole in the airline’s pension fund by asking staff to retire later or pay higher contributions. But lower-paid staff in the general union GMB and T&G are opposed.