Unite Union News
BA and union leaders adjourn talks
Negotiations aimed at resolving the British Airways cabin crew dispute have been adjourned till tomorrow. Chief executive Willie Walsh met leaders of the cabin crew union Unite at a secret location last night in a renewed bid to reach a settlement. Barring a breakthrough, the next round of strikes will start on Sunday.
BA keeps the flag flying
British Airways has underlined its defiance to break the cabin crew strikes by painting a ‘‘keep the flag flying’’ slogan across the fuselages of a number of its aircraft. Meanwhile the union Unite is calling for Willie Walsh to step aside in the negotiations in favour of the “more respected” Keith Williams, the airline’s chief financial officer.
Unite to appeal against BA decision
Unite has branded a High Court decision declaring planned British Airways cabin crew strikes illegal “an absolute disgrace” and launched an appeal. The trade union will present its case to the Appeal Court today following a decision by Mr Justice McCombe on Monday.
BA to operate at least half of services through strikes
British Airways plans to run at least half its services from Heathrow during the scheduled cabin crew strike next week. It has also made arrangements with more than 50 other carriers to allow its customers disrupted by the five-day walk-out to rebook with them.
BA optimistic in Unite battle
British Airways has remained bullish today, following the announcement of 20 days of strike action at the airline during May and June. The airline confirmed all departures from London Gatwick and City airports would operate as normal, while a “substantial” service would operate from Heathrow.
BA makes “serious progress” with cabin crew
British Airways has headed off a third round of industrial action by cabin crew next week as talks with unions attempting to resolve changes in working practices make “serious progress”.
British Airways services returning to normal
British Airways is seeking to return to a normal schedule this morning, following three days of industrial action by cabin crew. Both sides of the dispute are claiming victory, with disagreement centred on the number of flights the British flag-carrier was able to operate during the strike.
Last ditch BA talks enter second day
Showdown talks to avoid strike action at British Airways have entered a second day, with unions “optimistic” a deal can be reached in time. Cabin crew at the British flag-carrier are due to begin three days of industrial action tomorrow, with a further four days of strikes planned from March 27th.
British Airways improves strike schedule
British Airways has confirmed it will increase its flying schedule for the period of Unite’s strikes, following a decision by a “significant” number of employees to support of the company’s contingency plans. The airline had previously announced plans to fly 60 per cent of scheduled departures, with this number now expected to rise.
Unite seeks to internationalise British Airways dispute
The Unite union is expected to meet representatives from its American counterpart Teamsters later today, in an attempt to internationalise the ongoing dispute with British Airways. The first strike at the airline is planned for Saturday, with Unite potentially seeking to secure Teamster support to block BA aircraft landing in the US during the dispute.
British Airways expected to confirm cancellations
British Airways is expected to outline which flights will be cancelled, following a decision by the Unite union to strike later this month. Services from London City Airport and long-haul services from BA’s other London bases are expected to depart, while UK and European departures are likely to be hard hit.
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.