Unite members working for British Airways’ mixed fleet have announced a two week strike.

The decision comes after BA refused the union’s final compromise position on the outstanding issue of sanctioning striking cabin crew.

The strike is scheduled to begin at 00:01 Saturday, July 1st and run to 23:59 on Sunday, July 16th.

At the same time Unite said it would “vigorously” pursue legal action against British Airways on behalf of 1,400 cabin crew who were sanctioned for taking strike action in a long running pay dispute.

Commenting Unite assistant general secretary, Howard Beckett, said: “The refusal by British Airways bosses to meaningfully consider our compromise offer is deeply disappointing.

“A resolution to this long running dispute was within the grasp of British Airways, but instead of grabbing that opportunity, bosses rebuffed it.

“It now means British Airways faces an entirely avoidable two week strike and prolonged legal action on behalf of over 1,400 mixed cabin crew.

“Unite believes the divisive way British Airways has targeted striking members of cabin crew is unlawful and amounts to blacklisting.

“The airline should be under no illusion of Unite’s intent to pursue justice on behalf of its members all the way to the highest court in the land.

“We would urge British Airways’ bosses to come to their senses and think again.”

Central to the claims will be the accusation that British Airways has formed a ‘blacklist’ to impose sanctions on striking cabin crew.

Sanctions have included cabin crew seeing bonus payments worth hundreds of pounds taken away and the removal of staff travel concessions. 

Last week Unite suspended a planned four-day strike by British Airways’ mixed fleet cabin crew, which was due to start today, in a bid to resolve the dispute through fresh talks.

British Airways reassured passengers that it would continue to fly all customers to their destinations.

The airline said: “We had reached a deal on pay, which Unite agreed was acceptable.

“Unite has already confirmed it is pursuing the non-pay issues in this dispute through the courts.

“We urge Unite to let its members vote on the pay proposals.”