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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Strike ballot for BA cabin crew | Strike ballot for BA cabin crew |
| (20 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. |
| "Management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," said Unite union boss Derek Simpson. | "Management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," said Unite union boss Derek Simpson. |
| "Negotiation, not imposition, is the only proper way to conduct industrial relations." | "Negotiation, not imposition, is the only proper way to conduct industrial relations." |
| 'Frank' talks | 'Frank' talks |
| Earlier this month, BA explained why it had decided to announce the changes without reaching an agreement with unions. | Earlier this month, BA explained why it had decided to announce the changes without reaching an agreement with unions. |
| On 6 October, the airline said: "Without changes, we will continue to lose more money with every month that passes. | On 6 October, the airline said: "Without changes, we will continue to lose more money with every month that passes. |
| "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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 'Higher costs' | |
| The job cuts are part of a total of 3,700 jobs set to be axed over the next year. | The job cuts are part of a total of 3,700 jobs set to be axed over the next year. |
| "Its cabin crew costs are much higher than its rivals, in particular people like Easyjet and Virgin Atlantic," said Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent. | |
| "What BA decided to do unilaterally after months and months of talks... is to remove one senior member of cabin crew from each flight to and from Heathrow." | |
| Union members were already due to hold an emergency meeting on Monday 2 November, which is two weeks before the changes are due to come into force. |