BA flight crews vote for holiday strike

The union Unite said more than 80 percent of the 12,700 members who voted approved a walkout, which is to begin Dec. 22, The Times of London reported Tuesday.

The airline and union members disagreed about staffing levels for flights and wages, which management proposed freezing at current levels for two years.
BA is attempting to reduce its payroll by 1,700 workers to save $227 million in annual operating costs.

About 900,00 passengers are currently booked on BA flights during the 12-day duration of the planned strike, The Times reported.

BA Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh said, "they have no justification for threatening such extreme action. It is very sad they are seeking to use the Christmas holiday plans and family reunions of hundreds of thousands of people to try to pursue their case."

However, union leader Steve Turner said the 12-day walkout was potentially "the first in a whole series of strikes."

Union and company representatives said no talks were presently scheduled to resolve the differences.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.