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BA cabin crew strike to go ahead BA cabin crew strike to go ahead
(30 minutes later)
A two-day strike by thousands of British Airways cabin crew is to go ahead, the airline has announced.A two-day strike by thousands of British Airways cabin crew is to go ahead, the airline has 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 is expected to advise passengers to make alternative travel arrangements as hundreds of flights are likely to be cancelled. BA is expected to advise passengers to make alternative travel arrangements, as hundreds of both short and long-haul flights are likely to be cancelled.
'Bitterly disappointed''Bitterly disappointed'
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.
BA has failed to hear the voice of common sense T&G deputy head Jack Dromey
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."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.
"It has chosen instead to confirm a 48-hour stoppage for next week that will wreck the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of customers.""It has chosen instead to confirm a 48-hour stoppage for next week that will wreck the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of customers."
BA shares fell 7.25 pence, or 1.4%, to 529.25p in London following the announcement.BA shares fell 7.25 pence, or 1.4%, to 529.25p in London following the announcement.
The airline said it will give details later on which flights will operate on the strike days.The airline said it will give details later on which flights will operate on the strike days.
The walk-out 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.The walk-out 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.
Open doorOpen door
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".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".
BA STRIKE Both short and long-haul flights are due to be affected96% of union members voted for the strike actionThe dispute is centred on pay and sick leave British Airways strike Q&A
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".Yet Mr Dromey added that the union's "door remained open".
Out of the airline's total 14,000 cabin crew, about 11,000 are members of the T&G. Out of the airline's total 14,000 cabin crew, about 11,000 are members of the T&G, 96% of which voted for strike action.
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 are also subject to dispute. Starter pay rates for crew members are also subject to dispute, with the union unhappy that the starting wage for staff is £10,000.
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