Airline Strikes News
Iberia to sidestep unions with new low-cost airline
Iberia’s cabin crew are threatening strike action over plans to launch a new carrier this year that would pay crew lower wages. The new airline would employ some 350 staff and operate 14 aircraft, and is viewed as an attempt by the Spanish flag carrier to sidestep union resistance to cost cuts.
BA trains 1,000 taskforce to break strike
British Airways has unveiled plans to break potential industrial action, led by a task force of 1,000 trained volunteers to replace feuding cabin crew. Chief executive, Willie Walsh, said he would also hire up to 23 fully-crewed planes from a charter company to help run flights out of Heathrow.
BA trains strike-breaking crew on “ghost flights”
British Airways is operating “ghost flights” to train ground staff as cabin crew in order to minimise the potential disruption should strikes go ahead next month. Flights are operating from Heathrow to Cardiff and Glasgow to allow them to gain experience in the air, with colleagues pretending to be passengers.
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BA suspends 17 staff for bullying strike-breaking pilots
British Airways has suspended 17 staff for making “inappropriate comments” on a website aimed at bullying pilots prepared to break a threatened cabin crew strike.
Redundant BA cabin crew to cover strike
British Airways cabin crew laid off by the airline last year could be lured back in a bid to cover possible strike action. Former staff have been offered six-month contracts and would undergo a week of training starting 22 February.
British Airways faces renewed legal action
Unite is going to the High Court in a bid to get the cabin crew changes introduced by British Airways last November overturned. The workers’ union claims that the cost-cutting measures, which included freezing pay and cutting crew on long-haul flights, were imposed without it being properly consulted.
Only 216 volunteer to break BA strike
Only 216 volunteers have offered to replace British Airways cabin crew in the event of industrial action, according to Unite. The trade union poured scorn on the airline’s plans to continue to operate a skeleton service during a strike, labelling it a “scab labour” drive.
BA strike ballots gets underway
British Airways cabin crew are beginning a vote today on whether to strike in a dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions. The new ballot will close on February 22 and raises fears of industrial action from March 1, although the union has ruled out any stoppages over the Easter holidays.
Union rules out BA strike over Easter
The threat of a strike by British Airways cabin crew over the Easter holidays appears to have evaporated after the union Unite issued a statement, saying it wanted “families to be able to plan their travel arrangements in confidence”.
New BA strike threat
British Airways cabin crew will vote again on possible strike action which could take place over Easter, following the breakdown of talks between the Union unite and airline executives.
BA faces new strike ballot
British Airways cabin crew are to vote in a new strike ballot on 22 January, in a move that aims to strengthen trade union Unite’s position during talks with the airline.
BA to meet unions to avert strike
Hopes of a settlement between British Airways and its cabin crew have been raised after the two sides have agreed to meet this week to try to reach a settlement over pay and work conditions.
High Court declares BA strike illegal
The High Court has ruled against British Airways cabin crew striking over Christmas, saying unions breached industrial relations law by including members of staff that no longer worked for the airline.
PM steps in to resolve BA strike
The Prime Minister has stepped in to try and resolve the BA strike as the beleaguered airline goes to the High Court today to seek a last-minute injunction. Gordon Brown revealed he has spoken to Transport Minister Lord Adonis this morning and pledged that the government would do “everything it can” to resolve the dispute, which is due to start next Tuesday.
BA cabin crew to strike for 12 days over Christmas
A million travellers face having their Christmas travel plans wrecked after British Airways cabin crew voted unanimously in favour of strike action. The walk out will start on 22 December, just three days before Christmas, and staff will not return to work until January 2.
Christmas strikes loom for BA
British Airways could round off its “annus horribilus” mired in industrial action. Union insiders are warning that more than 12,000 cabin crew are likely to strike over the Christmas period in protest over job losses and changes to work practices.
From bad to worse for Aer Lingus
The crisis at Aer Lingus has deepened following a double whammy of bad news – the finance director has resigned, and talks with pilots over pay cuts have broken down.
BA cabin crew vote over Christmas strike
British Airways’ cabin crew began voting today over Christmas strike action in protest against new employment rules that include a two-year pay freeze, reduced holidays and fewer benefits. The ballot, which is open to all BA’s 14,000 cabin crew, closes on December 14 and could result in industrial action starting 21 December.
Iberia threatened with more strikes
Unions representing Spanish airline Iberia’s cabin crew have revealed they will stage eight more days of strikes unless a pay agreement is reached.
