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BA e-mail says strike going ahead New attempt to head off BA strike
(about 4 hours later)
British Airways has e-mailed customers to say that strikes by cabin crew on 30 and 31 January are going ahead. New talks will be held between British Airways and the Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) on Saturday to try and avert a strike by cabin crew.
On Thursday evening BA chief executive Willie Walsh and T&G boss Tony Woodley had met to try to head off next week's two-day action by cabin crew. The move follows talks between leaders of the T&G and representatives of 11,000 stewards and stewardesses.
And Mr Woodley had been meeting cabin crew representatives on Friday, as news of the talks was awaited. The workers are due to walk out for 48 hours in a dispute over sickness absence, pay and staffing.
More than 140,000 BA passengers face potential travel chaos on Tuesday 30 January and Wednesday 31 January.
BBC Labour Affairs correspondent Stephen Cape said Saturday's talks are expected to be held in secret to avoid undue pressure on the negotiators.
'Day and night'
Earlier, BA had sent an e-mail to customers to say that the strikes were going ahead.
In its e-mail on Friday to customers BA said that it "was committed to finding a resolution" to the proposed strike.In its e-mail on Friday to customers BA said that it "was committed to finding a resolution" to the proposed strike.
"We are working day and night to try to come to an agreement with the T&G that will stop any further planned strikes from taking place," it added."We are working day and night to try to come to an agreement with the T&G that will stop any further planned strikes from taking place," it added.
On Thursday evening BA chief executive Willie Walsh and T&G boss Tony Woodley had met to try to head off next week's two-day action.
BA has already cancelled all flights out of Heathrow and domestic and European flights out of Gatwick for the duration of the strike costing it millions of pounds in lost revenue.
Unless a solution to the dispute is found a second three-day strike is possible for 5 to 7 February, and a third three-day strike possible for 12 to 14 February.Unless a solution to the dispute is found a second three-day strike is possible for 5 to 7 February, and a third three-day strike possible for 12 to 14 February.
More than 140,000 BA passengers face potential travel chaos on Tuesday 30 January and Wednesday 31 January.
Sick leave rowSick leave row
If the strike goes ahead, all flights from Heathrow airport will be cancelled, as well as all domestic and European BA-operated flights to and from Gatwick.If the strike goes ahead, all flights from Heathrow airport will be cancelled, as well as all domestic and European BA-operated flights to and from Gatwick.
BA STRIKE DISRUPTION HEATHROWNo flights outSome long-haul arrivalsGATWICKNo domestic or European flightsUp to six of the nine long-haul flights will operateMANCHESTERFlights to New York will operate normallyBA CONNECT AND OTHER FRANCHISED SERVICESNot affected British Airways strike Q&ABA STRIKE DISRUPTION HEATHROWNo flights outSome long-haul arrivalsGATWICKNo domestic or European flightsUp to six of the nine long-haul flights will operateMANCHESTERFlights to New York will operate normallyBA CONNECT AND OTHER FRANCHISED SERVICESNot affected British Airways strike Q&A
Each side has been arguing that the other is being unreasonable in the dispute over pay and sick leave.Each side has been arguing that the other is being unreasonable in the dispute over pay and sick leave.
BA has said it wants customers to have sufficient warning of its contingency plans for the strike days, to give them enough time to make alternative travel arrangements.BA has said it wants customers to have sufficient warning of its contingency plans for the strike days, to give them enough time to make alternative travel arrangements.
Passengers due to travel on one of the strike days can either change their flights to another date, at no extra charge, or else gain a full refund.Passengers due to travel on one of the strike days can either change their flights to another date, at no extra charge, or else gain a full refund.
New rulesNew rules
In all, 1,300 BA flights will be cancelled over the two days.In all, 1,300 BA flights will be cancelled over the two days.
Out of the airline's 14,000 cabin crew, about 11,000 are members of the T&G - 96% of whom voted for strike action.Out of the airline's 14,000 cabin crew, about 11,000 are members of the T&G - 96% of whom voted for strike action.
HAVE YOUR SAY It is the travelling public that suffers from disruptions due to industrial actions such as these Diana, Johannesburg Send us your comments Profile: Willie WalshHAVE YOUR SAY It is the travelling public that suffers from disruptions due to industrial actions such as these Diana, Johannesburg Send us your comments Profile: Willie Walsh
They have complained that a new regime on sickness pay, introduced 18 months ago, means they are forced to work when they are ill.They have complained that a new regime on sickness pay, introduced 18 months ago, means they are forced to work when they are ill.
BA insists the measures were needed to cut high levels of sickness absence.BA insists the measures were needed to cut high levels of sickness absence.
Staff now take an average of 12 days sick leave each year - down from 22 days before the new rules were brought in, the airline says.Staff now take an average of 12 days sick leave each year - down from 22 days before the new rules were brought in, the airline says.
Starter pay rates for crew members, overall pay grading and promotion opportunities are also subject to dispute, with the union unhappy that the starting wage for staff is £10,000.Starter pay rates for crew members, overall pay grading and promotion opportunities are also subject to dispute, with the union unhappy that the starting wage for staff is £10,000.
The union also wants the introduction of a single pay arrangement for cabin crew staff, rather than the existing two tier system, with staff who joined after 1997 being paid less than those employed before that date.The union also wants the introduction of a single pay arrangement for cabin crew staff, rather than the existing two tier system, with staff who joined after 1997 being paid less than those employed before that date.