The Unite union has announced six further days of strike action for British Airways Mixed Fleet crew next month.

The strikes dates are scheduled in two blocks, from February 5-7, and again from February 9-11.

Unite said the latest round of industrial action over an “ongoing dispute over poverty pay” would go ahead “unless the airline responded to calls to resolve the dispute”.

The union said an open letter had been sent to BA, stating that “Your reluctance to offer a reasonable pay deal to our members, yet spend what we believe is now reaching millions of pounds in trying to quash strike action, suggests money is available and this is a question of ideology”.

“We urge you to avoid any further dispute and do the right thing for your cabin crew and our customers by engaging with mixed fleet Unite to negotiate a genuinely meaningful way forward,” the letter continued, with Unite suggesting that “we get back around the table, with the starting point being the encouraging start that we made at Acas before Christmas”.

The dispute has so far resulted in five days of strike action across two stoppages.

Commenting on the latest strike dates, Unite national officer Oliver Richardson said:

“Rather than addressing poverty pay, British Airways is spending money hand over fist on chartering in aircraft to cover striking cabin crew.

“If it can afford to waste money in such a manner then British Airways can clearly afford to address pay levels which are among the lowest in the industry.

“We would urge British Airways to wake up to the determination of our members, who contribute massively to the billions of pounds in profits the airline generates, and get around the negotiating table to resolve the dispute and avoid a further six days of costly strike action.”

In response British Airways has released the following statement:

“We have flown all customers to their destinations during the previous strikes by Mixed Fleet Unite and we will ensure this happens again.

“We will publish more details on Tuesday (January 31) once we have finalised our contingency plans in relation to the strikes called for February 5-7. On Thursday (February 2), we will publish more details in relation to the second strike period, February 9-11.

“Our pay offer for Mixed Fleet crew is consistent with deals agreed with Unite for other British Airways colleagues. It also reflects pay awards given by other companies in the UK and will ensure that rewards for Mixed Fleet remain in line with those for cabin crew at our airline competitors.”

ba.com, unitetheunion.org