Bosses at British Airways will meet union leaders this morning in the hope of averting another bout of chaos at Britain's airports, as the airline’s cabin crews threaten to strike over pay dispute’s, sick leave and staffing levels.
The strike could take place as early as next week, but a threat is also hanging over the half term school holiday next month, a key time for travel .
In less than a year there has already been three standstills after thousands of passengers were left stranded by bad weather in the run-up to Christmas and thousands more were affected by a terrorism scare last August.
The airline’s stewards and stewardesses, members of the Transport and General Workers Union, voted overwhelmingly for industrial action. A total of 96 per cent were in favour and the union is ready to stage a series of three-day strikes if it fails to reach agreement with BA .
Industrial action would ground international and domestic flights . BA has 550 flights in and out of Heathrow each day, carrying 60,000 passengers.
Fears are growing that passengers will choose alternative and rival airlines rather than risk holiday plans being disrupted.
BA disputes that staff are being forced to work when they are unwell. The airline says it is only asking for doctors' notes and monitoring workers who are often absent in an effort to cut down the average of 22 sick days taken by cabin crew each year.
A BA spokesman said: "We have not been seeking to achieve new ways of working by imposition, but by negotiation." The union rejected this.
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More Airport Chaos As British Airways Faces Half Term Strikes Wed, 17 Jan 2007      Recommended linksBook your next holiday onlineFind great deals on low cost flights Search for great value hotels Compare providers of travel insurance Bristol Airport To Reopen After Repairs Expansion Needed For UK Airports |
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