BA and Unite to meet

Talks to be held over strike threat

British Airways (BA) and the union Unite will meet for formal talks over the cabin crew pay dispute.

Unite said the talks will start in the next few days and are "aimed at finding a negotiated settlement to their dispute over cabin crew terms and conditions under the auspices of the TUC (Trades Union Congress)".

Unite joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said: "We have said all along that this dispute could only be resolved through negotiation, rather than imposition or litigation, so we are delighted to be joining BA management in talks at the TUC.

"We will be approaching those talks in a constructive spirit, seeking to find a settlement that meets the real concerns of BA's skilled, loyal and professional cabin crew, while keeping the airline flying."

A spokesperson for BA said: "We have always said we would make ourselves available for talks with Unite at any time without preconditions.

"We are pleased that this new round of talks will now proceed under the auspices of the TUC."

Cabin crew members of Unite had planned a walk-out from December 22, but the ballot for the strike was ruled illegal by a High Court judge.

As a result of this decision before Christmas, Unite is currently re-balloting its cabin crew members at BA on another possible strike.

The dispute is over BA's plans to cut costs by shedding the equivalent of 3,000 jobs through voluntary redundancies and staff switching from full to part time work.  BA has also imposed a two year pay freeze.

Unite has objected to the airline cutting cabin crew on long haul flights from 15 to 14, claiming it was a change of working practices which had not been negotiated.

BA has denied its move is a change in staff working practices.

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