British Airways is bracing itself for strikes as negotiations with cabin crew broke down tonight. BA and union Unite, which represents the crew, have been holding lengthy talks since last November when cabin crew first voted to strike over concerns about pay and working conditions as the airline sought to cut heavy deficits. Trades Union Congress, which is overseeing the latest talks, had hoped to agree a deal by 5pm tonight but the deadline passed without agreement. A deadline to announce strikes is just days away with Unite having to make an annoucnement by March 15 without having to hold a new ballott. The union has said it will not strike over Easter as had been originally feared, so the earliest strikes may start is March 22. The two sides have been swapping counter-offers this week that will save BA around £60 million. TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, who had been hosting the peace talks, said: “Despite a prolonged period of negotiations it has not been possible to reach agreement between BA and Unite. “Both parties will be reflecting on the position and the TUC will be keeping in touch but at this stage no further negotiations are planned.”
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