This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6297059.stm

The article has changed 42 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 31 Version 32
New attempt to head off BA strike BA crews strike talks adjourned
(about 4 hours later)
New talks are being held between British Airways and the Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) on Saturday to try to avert a strike by cabin crew. Talks between British Airways and the Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) aimed at averting a strike by cabin crew have been adjourned.
The move follows talks between leaders of the T&G and representatives of 11,000 stewards and stewardesses. T&G leaders and representatives of 11,000 stewards and stewardesses are expected to meet again on Sunday.
Cabin crew are due to walk out for 48 hours in a dispute over sickness absence, pay and staffing.Cabin crew are due to walk out for 48 hours in a dispute over sickness absence, pay and staffing.
More than 140,000 BA passengers face potential travel chaos on Tuesday 30 January and Wednesday 31 January.More than 140,000 BA passengers face potential travel chaos on Tuesday 30 January and Wednesday 31 January.
BBC Labour Affairs correspondent Stephen Cape said Saturday's talks were being held in secret to avoid undue pressure on the negotiators.BBC Labour Affairs correspondent Stephen Cape said Saturday's talks were being held in secret to avoid undue pressure on the negotiators.
'Day and night''Day and night'
Earlier, BA had sent an e-mail to customers to say that the strikes were going ahead.Earlier, BA had sent an e-mail to customers to say that the strikes were going ahead.
In its e-mail on Friday to customers BA said that it "was committed to finding a resolution" to the proposed strike. In its message BA said that it "was committed to finding a resolution" to the proposed strike.
"We are working day and night to try to come to an agreement with the T&G that will stop any further planned strikes from taking place," it added."We are working day and night to try to come to an agreement with the T&G that will stop any further planned strikes from taking place," it added.
On Thursday evening BA chief executive Willie Walsh and T&G boss Tony Woodley had met to try to head off next week's two-day action.On Thursday evening BA chief executive Willie Walsh and T&G boss Tony Woodley had met to try to head off next week's two-day action.
BA has already cancelled all flights out of Heathrow and domestic and European flights out of Gatwick for the duration of the strike costing it millions of pounds in lost revenue.BA has already cancelled all flights out of Heathrow and domestic and European flights out of Gatwick for the duration of the strike costing it millions of pounds in lost revenue.
Unless a solution to the dispute is found a second three-day strike is possible for 5 to 7 February, and a third three-day strike possible for 12 to 14 February.Unless a solution to the dispute is found a second three-day strike is possible for 5 to 7 February, and a third three-day strike possible for 12 to 14 February.
Sick leave rowSick leave row
If the strike goes ahead, all flights from Heathrow airport will be cancelled, as well as all domestic and European BA-operated flights to and from Gatwick.If the strike goes ahead, all flights from Heathrow airport will be cancelled, as well as all domestic and European BA-operated flights to and from Gatwick.
BA STRIKE DISRUPTION HEATHROWNo flights outSome long-haul arrivalsGATWICKNo domestic or European flightsUp to six of the nine long-haul flights will operateMANCHESTERFlights to New York will operate normallyBA CONNECT AND OTHER FRANCHISED SERVICESNot affected British Airways strike Q&ABA STRIKE DISRUPTION HEATHROWNo flights outSome long-haul arrivalsGATWICKNo domestic or European flightsUp to six of the nine long-haul flights will operateMANCHESTERFlights to New York will operate normallyBA CONNECT AND OTHER FRANCHISED SERVICESNot affected British Airways strike Q&A
Each side has been arguing that the other is being unreasonable in the dispute over pay and sick leave.Each side has been arguing that the other is being unreasonable in the dispute over pay and sick leave.
BA has said it wants customers to have sufficient warning of its contingency plans for the strike days, to give them enough time to make alternative travel arrangements.BA has said it wants customers to have sufficient warning of its contingency plans for the strike days, to give them enough time to make alternative travel arrangements.
Passengers due to travel on one of the strike days can either change their flights to another date, at no extra charge, or else gain a full refund.Passengers due to travel on one of the strike days can either change their flights to another date, at no extra charge, or else gain a full refund.
New rulesNew rules
In all, 1,300 BA flights will be cancelled over the two days.In all, 1,300 BA flights will be cancelled over the two days.
Out of the airline's 14,000 cabin crew, about 11,000 are members of the T&G - 96% of whom voted for strike action.Out of the airline's 14,000 cabin crew, about 11,000 are members of the T&G - 96% of whom voted for strike action.
HAVE YOUR SAY It is the travelling public that suffers from disruptions due to industrial actions such as these Diana, Johannesburg Send us your comments Profile: Willie WalshHAVE YOUR SAY It is the travelling public that suffers from disruptions due to industrial actions such as these Diana, Johannesburg Send us your comments Profile: Willie Walsh
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.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, overall pay grading and promotion opportunities are also subject to dispute, with the union unhappy that the starting wage for staff is £10,000.Starter pay rates for crew members, overall pay grading and promotion opportunities are also subject to dispute, with the union unhappy that the starting wage for staff is £10,000.
The union also wants the introduction of a single pay arrangement for cabin crew staff, rather than the existing two tier system, with staff who joined after 1997 being paid less than those employed before that date.The union also wants the introduction of a single pay arrangement for cabin crew staff, rather than the existing two tier system, with staff who joined after 1997 being paid less than those employed before that date.