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Unions to hold new BA strike vote Unions to hold new BA strike vote
(about 1 hour later)
British Airways cabin crew will vote again on possible strike action, the Unite union has announced.British Airways cabin crew will vote again on possible strike action, the Unite union has announced.
Unite said a fresh ballot of its members will be held after recent talks with BA failed to find a resolution to a long-running dispute.Unite said a fresh ballot of its members will be held after recent talks with BA failed to find a resolution to a long-running dispute.
BA said it was "saddened but not surprised" by the decision, but vowed to continue talks.
A strike planned for Christmas last year was blocked after a court granted an injunction, declaring it illegal.A strike planned for Christmas last year was blocked after a court granted an injunction, declaring it illegal.
Unite is in a dispute with BA over changes to cabin crew staffing levels and working conditions.Unite is in a dispute with BA over changes to cabin crew staffing levels and working conditions.
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, said that "intensive discussions" with BA had failed to secure an agreement. Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, said that "intensive discussions" with the company had failed to secure an agreement.
"We therefore have to honour our commitment to give our members the voice they were denied by the courts before Christmas, and hold a fresh ballot for industrial action," he said."We therefore have to honour our commitment to give our members the voice they were denied by the courts before Christmas, and hold a fresh ballot for industrial action," he said.
He added that Unite wanted to see talks with BA continue.He added that Unite wanted to see talks with BA continue.
BA said the decision to call a ballot called into question Unite's "good faith" in recent negotiations which it said were designed to resolve the dispute without disruption.
Ballot problemsBallot problems
Cabin crew voted overwhelmingly for strike action in the previous ballot, leading to the announcement of a 12-day strike over the Christmas period.Cabin crew voted overwhelmingly for strike action in the previous ballot, leading to the announcement of a 12-day strike over the Christmas period.
We will not allow Unite to ruin this airline BA statement
However, problems with the ballot led to the High Court blocking the strike from going ahead.However, problems with the ballot led to the High Court blocking the strike from going ahead.
BA had complained that staff in the process of leaving the company had been balloted, breaching industrial relations law.BA had complained that staff in the process of leaving the company had been balloted, breaching industrial relations law.
Unite said the ballot would begin in a week's time, allowing strike action to begin as early as March.Unite said the ballot would begin in a week's time, allowing strike action to begin as early as March.
It is not certain that cabin crew will vote in favour of a strike for a second time.It is not certain that cabin crew will vote in favour of a strike for a second time.
Following the previous ballot, some union members expressed alarm at the length and timing of the strike - details they said they had not been made aware of before voting.Following the previous ballot, some union members expressed alarm at the length and timing of the strike - details they said they had not been made aware of before voting.
BA announced plans to cut the number of cabin crew on long-haul flights last year as a cost-cutting measure following huge losses at the airline.BA announced plans to cut the number of cabin crew on long-haul flights last year as a cost-cutting measure following huge losses at the airline.
Unite complained that it was not consulted on the move, which it said involved changes to staff contracts.Unite complained that it was not consulted on the move, which it said involved changes to staff contracts.
BA lost more than £400m last year, following the collapse in demand for air travel resulting from the recession.
The airline ruled out backing down in the dispute.
"We will not allow Unite to ruin this airline - and we believe we have the support of our customers and the vast majority of our staff in that objective," it said.