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BA cabin crew start strike vote BA cabin crew start strike vote
(40 minutes later)
Cabin crew at British Airways are to begin voting on whether to strike, in a long-running dispute with management.Cabin crew at British Airways are to begin voting on whether to strike, in a long-running dispute with management.
Staff were due to walk out over Christmas until a court ruled the action illegal because of the way it was balloted.Staff were due to walk out over Christmas until a court ruled the action illegal because of the way it was balloted.
The new ballot closes on 22 February, which means action could be taken as soon as 1 March, although the union has said it will not strike over Easter.The new ballot closes on 22 February, which means action could be taken as soon as 1 March, although the union has said it will not strike over Easter.
The Unite union is angry at BA's plans to cut jobs and pay.The Unite union is angry at BA's plans to cut jobs and pay.
It warned that if the airline recruited other staff to replace them during the stoppages, it would put passengers' lives at risk.It warned that if the airline recruited other staff to replace them during the stoppages, it would put passengers' lives at risk.
The union said that the experience of the cabin crew had recently saved a passenger's life. The union said the experience of the cabin crew had recently saved a passenger's life.
Len McCluskey, Unite's assistant general secretary said: "Cabin crew's dedication and skill kept a person alive when others had given up hope. BA should have nothing but praise for its loyal and dedicated cabin crew."Len McCluskey, Unite's assistant general secretary said: "Cabin crew's dedication and skill kept a person alive when others had given up hope. BA should have nothing but praise for its loyal and dedicated cabin crew."
BA says any training programme for replacement staff would meet strict safety standards.
BA lost more than £400m last year, following the collapse in demand for air travel resulting from the recession.BA lost more than £400m last year, following the collapse in demand for air travel resulting from the recession.
The management says it has to cut costs in order to return the airline to profitability.The management says it has to cut costs in order to return the airline to profitability.
On Friday BA threatened that any staff who took part in the industrial action might lose their travel perks.On Friday BA threatened that any staff who took part in the industrial action might lose their travel perks.