BA in fresh talks with its unions
BRITISH Airways (BA) will find out today whether its bid to block a devastating 12-day Christmas strike in the courts has been successful.
The decision comes after the airline reopened talks with its unions yesterday, following the admission by Unite boss Derek Simpson that the length of the strike was “over the top”.
Bruce Carr QC from Devereux Chambers, representing BA, argued that 800 to 1,000 BA cabin crew were balloted for strike action after they had taken voluntary redundancy.
He said BA had brought the case to protect passengers from “willful, disproportionate and unlawful actions” of the union. “They knew perfectly well that 800 odd people would be leaving BA before the industrial action,” he added.
All BA domestic and European flights operated by BA CityFlyer to and from London City Airport are not affected by any potential industrial action and will operate normally.
Unite yesterday also revealed a new strike threat as baggage handlers at Heathrow and Aberdeen airports plan industrial action over pay, with a walkout due next Tuesday, when BA workers are set to begin their action.