The Unite union has announced two weeks of planned strike action by British Airways Mixed Fleet crew.
The industrial actions is scheduled to start at 0001 on Saturday July 1, and run until 2359 on Sunday July 16.
Unite said that the strike had been called after the carrier had “refused to accept the union’s final compromise position on the outstanding issue of the sanctioning of striking cabin crew”.
Last week Unite suspended a planned four-day strike, which had been due to start today, “in a bid to resolve the dispute through fresh talks”.
The union says that BA failed to send “key decision makers” to the Acas talks, leading Unite to write to the carrier with “a final compromise positon for acceptance by noon today”.
The union claims that BA has “formed a blacklist to impose sanctions on striking cabin crew”, with sanctions including bonuses being taken away and staff travel concessions removed.
Unite says that as well as the strike action, the union would “vigorously” pursue legal action against the carrier “to the highest court in the land”, on behalf of 1,400 cabin crew who the union says have faced sanctions.
Commenting on the strike decision, Unite’s assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said: “The refusal by British Airways bosses to meaningfully consider our compromise offer is deeply disappointing.
“A resolution to this long running dispute was within the grasp of British Airways, but instead of grabbing that opportunity, bosses rebuffed it. It now means British Airways faces an entirely avoidable two week strike and prolonged legal action on behalf of over 1,400 mixed cabin crew.
“Unite believes the divisive way British Airways has targeted striking members of cabin crew is unlawful and amounts to blacklisting. The airline should be under no illusion of Unite’s intent to pursue justice on behalf of its members all the way to the highest court in the land.
“We would urge British Airways’ bosses to come to their senses and think again.”
Business Traveller has contacted British Airways for comment, and will post any response here.
