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| BA: 'No compromise' on crew perks | BA: 'No compromise' on crew perks |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| British Airways' boss Willie Walsh has insisted that travel perks will not be reinstated for striking cabin crew. | British Airways' boss Willie Walsh has insisted that travel perks will not be reinstated for striking cabin crew. |
| He also said that, with a second strike due to start at midnight, there are no plans for talks with the Unite union. | He also said that, with a second strike due to start at midnight, there are no plans for talks with the Unite union. |
| The union has insisted that any peace deal must now include giving back travel concessions to cabin crew. | The union has insisted that any peace deal must now include giving back travel concessions to cabin crew. |
| But, speaking on BBC television, Mr Walsh said the strikers knew that their perks would stop and he would not "compromise" on this issue. | But, speaking on BBC television, Mr Walsh said the strikers knew that their perks would stop and he would not "compromise" on this issue. |
| The BA chief executive's comments are likely to intensify hostilities with Unite. In a letter sent to members, Unite called the ending of travel concessions "unacceptable anti-union bullying". | The BA chief executive's comments are likely to intensify hostilities with Unite. In a letter sent to members, Unite called the ending of travel concessions "unacceptable anti-union bullying". |
| BA STAFF PERKS Staff and family/close friend get tickets at 10% of face valueReciprocal agreements with other airlinesBut tickets are standby only - so there is no guarantee of a seat What perks have BA staff lost? | |
| Mr Walsh rejected suggestions the withdrawal of concessions was a "punishment" or attempt to "break the union". | Mr Walsh rejected suggestions the withdrawal of concessions was a "punishment" or attempt to "break the union". |
| He said: "We told them [cabin crew] about the consequences if they went on strike." | He said: "We told them [cabin crew] about the consequences if they went on strike." |
| A four-day strike is due to begin at midnight. It follows last weekend's three-day stoppage, which followed surprise last-minute talks between BA and Unite. | A four-day strike is due to begin at midnight. It follows last weekend's three-day stoppage, which followed surprise last-minute talks between BA and Unite. |
| Mr Walsh said there were no plans for talks on Friday, though he was "available". | Mr Walsh said there were no plans for talks on Friday, though he was "available". |
| "I met with Brendan Barber, [general secretary] of the Trades Union Congress, earlier this week. Brendan asked me if I would be available. I told him I would. I'm available at any stage if he gets the trade union to agree to meet, so I'm ready," Mr Walsh said. | "I met with Brendan Barber, [general secretary] of the Trades Union Congress, earlier this week. Brendan asked me if I would be available. I told him I would. I'm available at any stage if he gets the trade union to agree to meet, so I'm ready," Mr Walsh said. |
| He said he had not spoken to Prime Minister Gordon Brown since last weekend. | He said he had not spoken to Prime Minister Gordon Brown since last weekend. |
| Union bashing | Union bashing |
| Meanwhile, 116 industrial relations experts have accused Mr Walsh of union-busting. | Meanwhile, 116 industrial relations experts have accused Mr Walsh of union-busting. |
| In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, the academics say they can find no other reason for his stance in the industrial dispute with the Unite union. | In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, the academics say they can find no other reason for his stance in the industrial dispute with the Unite union. |
| BA rejects the academics' claim, adding it has been in talks for months. | BA rejects the academics' claim, adding it has been in talks for months. |
| The academics come from a range of universities from the UK and elsewhere, including Oxford University. | The academics come from a range of universities from the UK and elsewhere, including Oxford University. |
| The letter states the signatories have expertise in analysing the causes of industrial disputes and the dynamics of strike action. | The letter states the signatories have expertise in analysing the causes of industrial disputes and the dynamics of strike action. |
| "It is clear to us that the actions of the chief executive... are explicable only by the desire to break the union which represents the cabin crew." | "It is clear to us that the actions of the chief executive... are explicable only by the desire to break the union which represents the cabin crew." |
| It says that a victory for the company would bring "unilateral management prerogative" and an erosion of worker rights and democracy. | It says that a victory for the company would bring "unilateral management prerogative" and an erosion of worker rights and democracy. |
| In a statement, BA set out several specific rebuttals of the charges. | In a statement, BA set out several specific rebuttals of the charges. |
| The airline asked why, if strike-breaking was the aim, it had involved the TUC and the conciliation service Acas to try to reach a negotiated settlement with the union in the dispute with cabin crew. | The airline asked why, if strike-breaking was the aim, it had involved the TUC and the conciliation service Acas to try to reach a negotiated settlement with the union in the dispute with cabin crew. |
| Renewed strike | Renewed strike |
| It also pointed out that Mr Walsh himself had spent three days at the TUC talking with union representatives. | It also pointed out that Mr Walsh himself had spent three days at the TUC talking with union representatives. |
| BA is loss-making and facing stiff competition from other airlines and needs to cut costs. | BA is loss-making and facing stiff competition from other airlines and needs to cut costs. |
| Cabin crew, represented by the Unite union, held a three-day strike last weekend over proposed changes to pay and working conditions. They are preparing for a further four-day strike, set to begin at midnight. | Cabin crew, represented by the Unite union, held a three-day strike last weekend over proposed changes to pay and working conditions. They are preparing for a further four-day strike, set to begin at midnight. |
| They have repeatedly called for further talks with BA, and have offered their own programme of cost-reductions. | They have repeatedly called for further talks with BA, and have offered their own programme of cost-reductions. |
| The dispute has become increasingly fractious, with the union calling BA "bullying and contemptuous" towards its employees. | The dispute has become increasingly fractious, with the union calling BA "bullying and contemptuous" towards its employees. |
| British Airways said it has lost at least £21m because of the action. | British Airways said it has lost at least £21m because of the action. |