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Talks seek to resolve BA strike BA seeks talks to avert walk-out
(20 minutes later)
A fresh round of talks is expected in efforts to avert a three-day strike by British Airways cabin crew. British Airways has called in conciliation service Acas in a bid to avert a three-day strike called in row over sickness, pay and staff issues.
The T&G union announced on Sunday a strike for 29 to 31 January over sickness, pay and staffing issues. The airline's cabin crew will stage a walk-out from the 29 to 31 January, the T&G union said on Sunday.
It said agreement was still possible but warned of two further three-day stoppages in February if the dispute was not resolved. It said agreement was still possible but warned of two further stoppages in February if no resolution emerged.
BA said the strike was "totally unjustifiable" and it would affect hundreds of thousands of passengers.BA said the strike was "totally unjustifiable" and it would affect hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Problems
The airline's chief executive Willie Walsh told the BBC that calling in Acas was a positive step.
"We want to resolve these issues through dialogue, he said.
BA STRIKES Strike announced for 29-31 JanuarySecond three-day strike possible for 5-7 FebruaryThird three-day strike possible for 12-14 FebruaryBA will let passengers booked on flights during 29 January -16 February change their dates of travel Q&A: How the strike affects you
"Threatening our customers is not the way forward. We have to avoid disruption."
The T&G said the next 48 to 72 hours would be crucial if there was to be any possibility of preventing the first strike.The T&G said the next 48 to 72 hours would be crucial if there was to be any possibility of preventing the first strike.
The union's deputy general secretary Jack Dromey, who is leading its negotiating team, said there was a raft of problems to be settled.The union's deputy general secretary Jack Dromey, who is leading its negotiating team, said there was a raft of problems to be settled.
'Chaos' Cabin crew have complained that a new regime on sick pay - introduced 18 months ago - means they are forced to work when they are ill. Another issue is starter pay rates for crew members.
Cabin crew have complained that a new regime on sickness pay, introduced 18 months ago, means they are forced to work when they are ill. Another issue is starter pay rates for crew members. Workers who are sick come to work because they fear the consequences and that cannot be right Jack DromeyT&G deputy general secretary
BA insisted it was merely cutting high levels of sickness absence. The average of 22 days had been reduced to 12 but this was still above the UK average of seven per worker per year, it said. BA insisted it was merely cutting high levels of sickness absence. The average of 22 days had been reduced to 12 but this was still above the UK average of seven a year per worker.
BA STRIKE Strike announced for 29-31 JanuarySecond three-day strike possible for 5-7 FebruaryThird three-day strike possible for 12-14 FebruaryBA will let passengers booked on flights during 29 January -16 February change their dates of travel Q&A: How the strike affects you
The union held several meetings with BA bosses last week following a 96% vote for industrial action by the 11,000 cabin crew workers.The union held several meetings with BA bosses last week following a 96% vote for industrial action by the 11,000 cabin crew workers.
'Chaos'
Mr Dromey said British Airways management had "completely failed to engage" with the union, which said it was ready to resume talks at any time.Mr Dromey said British Airways management had "completely failed to engage" with the union, which said it was ready to resume talks at any time.
"What you need in any modern employer in the 21st century is a joint approach towards sickness absence where you combine preventing abuse on the one hand and fairness on the other," Mr Dromey told the BBC."What you need in any modern employer in the 21st century is a joint approach towards sickness absence where you combine preventing abuse on the one hand and fairness on the other," Mr Dromey told the BBC.
"The simple reality in BA is that workers who are sick come to work because they fear the consequences and that cannot be right.""The simple reality in BA is that workers who are sick come to work because they fear the consequences and that cannot be right."
BA said it had made "serious proposals" to change the way the sickness policy was applied.BA said it had made "serious proposals" to change the way the sickness policy was applied.
And it said the union was now demanding a "significant" pay rise, whereas it needed to remain competitive. It added said the union was now also demanding a "significant" pay rise, whereas it needed to remain competitive.
Chief executive Willie Walsh said the strike would cause "chaos" for hundreds of thousands of customers.Chief executive Willie Walsh said the strike would cause "chaos" for hundreds of thousands of customers.
It would also cause further damage to the airline, which has been hit in recent months by security and weather problems.It would also cause further damage to the airline, which has been hit in recent months by security and weather problems.
The airline said it would let people booked to fly between 29 January and 16 February change the date of their trip.The airline said it would let people booked to fly between 29 January and 16 February change the date of their trip.