British Airways cabin crew have voted in favour of a 12 day strike over Christmas and new year.
The walkout by 12,500 cabin crew from 22 December until 2 January could disrupt the travel plans of up to 1 million passengers due to travel over the period.
Unite members voted 9 to 1 for strike action following a long-running row over pay freezes, job cuts and changes to working practices. It will be the first strike action by BA cabin crew staff since 1997.
Travel on the days before and after the strike is also likely to be disrupted.
The decision was annouced by union leaders at a meeting at Sandown Racecourse this afternoon.
British Airways statement
[We are] extremely disappointed that Unite is planning massive disruption for hundreds of thousands of our customers over the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
A 12-day strike would be completely unjustified and a huge over-reaction to the modest changes we have announced for cabin crew which are intended to help us recover from record financial losses.
Unite’s cynical decision betrays a total lack of concern for our customers, our business and other employees within British Airways.
Latest on the strike vote
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