British Airways is assuring customers it will continue with talks to resolve a dispute with cabin crew, after union representatives announced strike action to take place next week.
British Airways has called in conciliation service Acas in a bid to avert a three-day strike called in row over sickness, pay and staff issues.
“We would like to assure our customers that British Airways remains committed to resolving this dispute through continued talks,” BA said in a statement. “The airline will provide further flight information for customers as soon as possible. In the meantime, all British Airways flights continue to operate normally.”
The Transport and General Workers Union’s cabin crew branch said that its members would take industrial action on January 29, 30 and 31; February 5, 6 and 7; and February 12, 13 and 14 following weeks of talks with BA and after 96% of members voted in favour of strike action.
Last week, BA boss Willie Walsh hit out at representatives of 11,000 cabin crew, whom he claims refuse to talk about changes to the way they work.
A list of staff grievances include the abolition of higher pay grades and management of sickness, although cabin crew are also among those unhappy with a deal on pensions that will push back retirement or increase contributions. But the T&G insists the underlying issue is “management by imposition”.
Walsh said: “We are not trying to impose anything. We are happy to sit down and agree change. We’re not looking for a dispute with the T&G.
The union has said an agreement was still possible.