Strike ballot for BA cabin crew

British Airways has said it is "disappointed" by the Unite union's decision to ballot 14,000 cabin crew about whether to take strike action.

Unions and management have been in talks since the announcement of cost-cutting measures earlier this month.

BA had said it would cut 1,700 jobs and freeze pay for current staff.

"Management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," said Unite union boss Derek Simpson.

"Negotiation, not imposition, is the only proper way to conduct industrial relations."

Pay increases

In a statement, BA denied it would be cutting pay, and said: "Our current cabin crew remain the best paid in the country by some way."

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It added: "In fact some 75% of crew will receive a pay scale increase worth between 2% and 7% this year and again next year."

BA expects to report a big loss for this year, which will be its second in a row.

It has said that the changes are essential to its survival.

In common with most airlines, it has been hit by falling passenger numbers in the recession as well as the volatility of fuel prices.

The job cuts are part of a total of 3,700 jobs set to be axed over the next year.

'Absolutely unacceptable'

"Its cabin crew costs are much higher than its rivals, in particular people like Easyjet and Virgin Atlantic," said Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent.

"What BA decided to do unilaterally after months and months of talks... is to remove one senior member of cabin crew from each flight to and from Heathrow."

Mr Walsh flew to Las Vegas on Sunday on BA's inaugural direct flight

Union members were already due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday, 2 November.

The changes are due to come into effect on 16 November.

"This is completely and absolutely unacceptable," said Steve Turner, Unite's national officer for civil aviation.

"It's more work being done by less people, providing a worse service, on the UK's national flag-carrier."

Last week, British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh held "open and frank" talks with union leaders to try to avoid cabin crew balloting for strike action.

Mr Walsh is currently in Las Vegas, having flown there on Sunday on BA's inaugural direct flight to the US city.

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