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Version 1 | Version 2 |
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BA cabin crew strike to go ahead | BA cabin crew strike to go ahead |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A two-day strike by thousands of British Airways cabin crew is to go ahead, it has been announced. | A two-day strike by thousands of British Airways cabin crew is to go ahead, it has been announced. |
Talks aimed at averting the walk-out on 30 and 31 January broke down without agreement on Wednesday night. | Talks aimed at averting the walk-out on 30 and 31 January broke down without agreement on Wednesday night. |
According to BA, T&G union officials rejected its plans to end the dispute over sickness, pay and staff issues. | According to BA, T&G union officials rejected its plans to end the dispute over sickness, pay and staff issues. |
The airline will later advise passengers to make alternative arrangements when hundreds of flights are cancelled. | The airline will later advise passengers to make alternative arrangements when hundreds of flights are cancelled. |
BA had called on the union to completely cancel the strike, saying that enough progress had been made in the talks. | BA had called on the union to completely cancel the strike, saying that enough progress had been made in the talks. |
It said the union had failed to "respond positively" to the serious proposals it had put forward. | It said the union had failed to "respond positively" to the serious proposals it had put forward. |
"We are bitterly disappointed that the T&G has refused to respond positively to the serious proposals we have made," said BA chief executive Willie Walsh. | |
'New relationship' | 'New relationship' |
The strike was originally due to start on 29 January, but the union agreed to postpone the action for 24 hours to allow more time for talks. | |
T&G union deputy general secretary Jack Dromey said BA had squandered a "sincere gesture of goodwill", as the move was designed to open up a "new relationship between BA and the cabin crew". | |
He said BA "has failed to hear the voice of common sense" by rejecting its proposals. | He said BA "has failed to hear the voice of common sense" by rejecting its proposals. |
Yet Mr Dromey added that the union's "door remained open". | |
Sickness levels | |
Out of the airline's total 14,000 cabin crew, about 11,000 are members of the T&G. | |
They have complained that a new regime on sickness pay, introduced 18 months ago, means they are forced to work when they are ill. | They have complained that a new regime on sickness pay, introduced 18 months ago, means they are forced to work when they are ill. |
BA insists the measures were needed to cut high levels of sickness absence. | BA insists the measures were needed to cut high levels of sickness absence. |
Staff now take an average of 12 days sick leave each year - down from 22 days before the new rules were brought in, the airline says. | |
Starter pay rates for crew members is also subject to dispute. | Starter pay rates for crew members is also subject to dispute. |