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.
"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.
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".
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".
Yet Mr Dromey added that the union's "door remained open".
Sickness levels
Sickness levels
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.
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 is also subject to dispute.
Starter pay rates for crew members are also subject to dispute.
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