Members of the Unite union working as cabin crew for British Airways ‘mixed fleet’ have announced a new 48-hour strike.

The industrial action is scheduled to start on Tuesday, January 10th.

United argues the decision was unavoidable after the airline refused to extend the mandate of an ongoing strike vote to allow for talks to resolve a dispute over pay to continue.

Warning British Airways of needlessly seeking conflict, Unite said its members were legally required to take industrial action within 28 days of voting for it, unless the airline agreed to an extension.

Commenting Unite national officer, Oliver Richardson, said: “British Airways is needlessly provoking strike action by refusing to extend the mandate of the strike ballot and allow meaningful talks to take place.

“Instead of listening to why its ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew rejected the offer negotiated at Acas, British Airways has sought instead to try and bully a workforce of young men and women who are trying to eke out a living on poverty pay.

“Such game playing and a desire to seek confrontation is not only a great disservice to passengers, but shows an unwillingness by British Airways to engage in constructive industrial relations.”

The move follows repeated attempts by Unite to hold meaningful talks with the airline after ‘mixed fleet’ cabin members voted to reject a pay offer negotiated at the conciliation service Acas, before Christmas, argues Unite.

A two day stoppage scheduled for Christmas Day and Boxing Day was suspended to allow Unite members to vote on the offer.

Rather than engage in further talks following the offer’s rejection, Unite accused British Airways of instead seeking to unpick the progress made towards addressing pay during Acas talks.