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BA pilots vote for strike action BA seeks mediation in pilot row
(about 4 hours later)
British Airways pilots have voted to go on strike in a dispute over the airline's plans to launch a new transatlantic subsidiary. British Airways pilots have agreed to independent arbitration in an effort to resolve a dispute over BA's plans to launch a new transatlantic subsidiary.
The British Airline Pilots Association says the airline plans to staff BA OpenSkies with crews on inferior terms to those of existing staff. BA and the British Airline Pilots Association jointly expressed a "strong desire" to reach a peaceful outcome.
Balpa, which represents 3,000 BA pilots, says 86% voted to strike. Turnout was 90%. Earlier, Balpa members voted to strike over what they said were plans to staff BA OpenSkies with crews on inferior terms to those of existing staff.
The union's executive is meeting and no strike dates have yet been set. Balpa, which represents 3,000 BA pilots, says 86% voted to strike.
If the strike goes ahead, it will be the first industrial action by BA pilots since 1980. OpenSkies does not represent a threat to the terms and conditions of BA pilots British Airways spokesperson The turnout in the vote was 90%.
BA and Balpa issued a joint statement after a meeting at the airline's headquarters near Heathrow airport.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "We welcome the progress made today and are confident that a settlement can be achieved through conciliation which will protect our customers from the possibility of disruption.
"We are proud of the professionalism and high reputation of our pilots and have never sought conflict with them."
Negotiation
Balpa general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "The ballot result shows the strength of feeling of our members about the implications of the creation of OpenSkies.
"We have no quarrel with the travelling public and have always maintained that these issues could be resolved through negotiation rather than confrontation."
Balpa says the terms and conditions at the new BA OpenSkies venture will drive down those for pilots flying BA's main fleet.Balpa says the terms and conditions at the new BA OpenSkies venture will drive down those for pilots flying BA's main fleet.
"We have seen it happening around the world. BA pilots are determined not to let the same thing happen to them and to their families," the union said. But British Airways denies trying to undercut its pilot workforce and says the creation of OpenSkies will not "in any way affect their current pay and conditions or threaten jobs".
"That is why Balpa has drawn a line in the sand."
'Disappointed'
British Airways said it was "disappointed" at the outcome.
It denies trying to undercut its pilot workforce and says the creation of OpenSkies will not "in any way affect their current pay and conditions or threaten jobs".
A spokeswoman said: "Our growth plans for BA at Heathrow and Gatwick mean we will be creating 300 extra pilots' jobs over the next few years."
British Airways has offered to involve the conciliation service Acas to try to resolve the dispute.
Under the Open Skies agreement, the US and EU regulatory authorities eased restrictions on air travel. Now, any EU-based airline will be able to fly from any city within the EU to any city within the US.Under the Open Skies agreement, the US and EU regulatory authorities eased restrictions on air travel. Now, any EU-based airline will be able to fly from any city within the EU to any city within the US.
BA's new airline plans to offer daily flights to New York direct from Paris and Brussels from June 2008, with further routes to follow.BA's new airline plans to offer daily flights to New York direct from Paris and Brussels from June 2008, with further routes to follow.