British Airways and staff union settle dispute
13 May 2011
British Airways and the Unite union, representing the carrier's cabin crew, reached an agreement Thursday which ends a long-running industrial dispute. The deal removes the threat of strike action by cabin crew.
Strikes by cabin crew last year cost BA an estimated £150 million ($246 million).
The union voted earlier this year for more work stoppages over and above the 22 days of strikes it staged last year.
In a statement, BA said the agreement with Unite ''involves acknowledgement by the union that the cost-saving structural changes we have made in cabin crew operations are permanent. We have also agreed to changes that will modernize our crew industrial relations and help ensure that this kind of dispute cannot occur again.''
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said, ''We are delighted to have reached an agreement which I believe recognizes the rights and dignity of cabin crew as well as the commercial requirements of the company. This agreement will allow us to go forward in partnership.''
He also said the union would recommend the deal to its members because ''we believe it is an honourable settlement.''
Unite cabin crew members will vote on the agreement over the next month.
Terms of agreement were not disclosed by either side.
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