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Strike ballot for BA cabin crew Strike ballot for BA cabin crew
(10 minutes later)
The Unite union has said it will ballot 14,000 of its members who work as cabin crew at British Airways about whether to take strike action.The Unite union has said it will ballot 14,000 of its members who work as cabin crew at British Airways about whether to take strike action.
Unions and management have been in talks since the announcement of cost-cutting measures earlier this month.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.BA had said it would cut 1,700 jobs and freeze pay for current staff.
The airline said it had been discussing these changes with unions since June, but would go ahead with them without reaching an agreement.The airline said it had been discussing these changes with unions since June, but would go ahead with them without reaching an agreement.
'Frank' talks
"BA management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," said Derek Simpson, general secretary of the Unite union."BA management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," said Derek Simpson, general secretary of the Unite union.
"Negotiation, not imposition, is the only proper way to conduct industrial relations.""Negotiation, not imposition, is the only proper way to conduct industrial relations."
BA said on 6 September that the changes were necessary.BA said on 6 September that the changes were necessary.
"Without changes, we will continue to lose more money with every month that passes," the airline said."Without changes, we will continue to lose more money with every month that passes," the airline said.
"It is essential we make ourselves more efficient if we are to ensure our long-term survival.""It is essential we make ourselves more efficient if we are to ensure our long-term survival."
BA expects to report a big loss for this year, which will be its second in a row.
In common with most airlines, it has been hit by falling passenger numbers in the recession as well as the volatility of fuel prices.
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.
The job cuts are part of a total of 3,700 jobs set to be axed over the next year.