This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8590262.stm
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 12 | Version 13 |
---|---|
Second BA strike disrupts flights | Second BA strike disrupts flights |
(40 minutes later) | |
More British Airways flights have been cancelled during a second strike by the firm's cabin crew. | |
According to live departure boards, 93 scheduled flights that were due to depart from Heathrow on Saturday have already been cancelled. | |
BA has said it expects to fly 75% of passengers and predicts less disruption than during last weekend's strike, when cabin crew walked out for three days. | BA has said it expects to fly 75% of passengers and predicts less disruption than during last weekend's strike, when cabin crew walked out for three days. |
The strike is due to run from Saturday until Tuesday 30 March. | The strike is due to run from Saturday until Tuesday 30 March. |
Steve Turner, from the Unite union, warned further strike action was likely to occur after the Easter period unless an agreement was reached over changes to pay and conditions. | Steve Turner, from the Unite union, warned further strike action was likely to occur after the Easter period unless an agreement was reached over changes to pay and conditions. |
BA said customers affected by the strike had been informed of flight cancellations five days ago. | BA said customers affected by the strike had been informed of flight cancellations five days ago. |
Steve Turner, Unite: "There will be no settlement without staff travel concessions having been returned" | Steve Turner, Unite: "There will be no settlement without staff travel concessions having been returned" |
Of the 240,000 customers originally booked to fly in the strike period, 180,000 will fly either on BA aircraft, or on those hired from other carriers. | Of the 240,000 customers originally booked to fly in the strike period, 180,000 will fly either on BA aircraft, or on those hired from other carriers. |
Another 43,000 have rebooked with other carriers or changing flight dates, with around 17,000 left unable to travel because of strike cancellations, BA said. | Another 43,000 have rebooked with other carriers or changing flight dates, with around 17,000 left unable to travel because of strike cancellations, BA said. |
London City was operating as normal and flights from Gatwick were expected to be unaffected, BA said. | |
It said dozens of flights had already departed from Heathrow and at least 70% of long-haul flights and 55% of short-haul flights are expected to operate normally. | |
The numbers of cabin crew reporting at the airport were "currently at the levels we need to operate our published schedule", BA said. | The numbers of cabin crew reporting at the airport were "currently at the levels we need to operate our published schedule", BA said. |
Unite said six planes leaving from Heathrow were loaded with passengers then unloaded because no cabin crews were available, but BA denied the claim. | |
ANALYSIS Joe Lynam, BBC business correspondent | ANALYSIS Joe Lynam, BBC business correspondent |
Unite and its striking members will feel vindicated today when they read a leaked report in today's papers which suggested that an outside adviser to the airline had urged BA management last year to "hit the union where it hurts". | Unite and its striking members will feel vindicated today when they read a leaked report in today's papers which suggested that an outside adviser to the airline had urged BA management last year to "hit the union where it hurts". |
While the company flatly rejected that that is its policy, the article - alongside Friday's letter from 116 academics, which accused BA of adopting "macho policies" - appears to chime with union concerns that it is in a battle for survival with a belligerent and motivated employer. | While the company flatly rejected that that is its policy, the article - alongside Friday's letter from 116 academics, which accused BA of adopting "macho policies" - appears to chime with union concerns that it is in a battle for survival with a belligerent and motivated employer. |
Nonetheless the airline's tail - or tailfin - is up as it increases the number of planes flying from Heathrow compared to last weekend's strike, as well as reducing to 7% the total number of its customers which could not be accommodated either by it or rival airlines. | Nonetheless the airline's tail - or tailfin - is up as it increases the number of planes flying from Heathrow compared to last weekend's strike, as well as reducing to 7% the total number of its customers which could not be accommodated either by it or rival airlines. |
Hundreds of strikers have been gathering at a football ground close to Heathrow since 6am and are taking turns to picket the airport. | |
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC she had worked for BA for 11 years and loved her job, but felt she had to "show her support for the union". | |
She said although she could understand cuts were necessary, her basic pay was £11,000 and cabin crew allowances could be low. | |
At Manchester airport, one out of 12 departures and one out of 10 arrivals were cancelled on Saturday morning. | At Manchester airport, one out of 12 departures and one out of 10 arrivals were cancelled on Saturday morning. |
BA said it had deployed "the biggest contingency plan in our history" to try to limit the impact of the strikes. | |
Despite those measures it estimates that last week's three day stoppage cost the company £21m. | |
But Unite national officer Brian Boyd told the BBC some City analysts had estimated the seven days of action would cost BA about £105m. | But Unite national officer Brian Boyd told the BBC some City analysts had estimated the seven days of action would cost BA about £105m. |
'Macho' Walsh | 'Macho' Walsh |
Compared to the £10m BA needed to resolve the dispute it "just did not make sense", he said. | |
The stoppage strikes comes amid controversy over BA's conduct during the industrial dispute. | |
In a letter to the Guardian newspaper on Friday, a total of 116 industrial relations academics accused chief executive Mr Walsh of adopting a "macho" approach, aimed at breaking the power of the union. | |
Passenger Jill Kelly: 'It's costing at least £1000 extra' | Passenger Jill Kelly: 'It's costing at least £1000 extra' |
However BA rejected the accusations, pointing to the three days of negotiations with Unite attended by Mr Walsh in the run up to the first strike. | However BA rejected the accusations, pointing to the three days of negotiations with Unite attended by Mr Walsh in the run up to the first strike. |
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Walsh said that there were currently no plans to reopen talks with the union. | Speaking to the BBC, Mr Walsh said that there were currently no plans to reopen talks with the union. |
He also said that travel perks withdrawn from striking staff would never be reinstated. BA staff are able to buy flights for 10% of the face value - a deal that can be extended to friends and family. | |
Unite called the withdrawal of the perks "unacceptable anti-union bullying". | Unite called the withdrawal of the perks "unacceptable anti-union bullying". |
Unite's Steve Turner said the union was "absolutely crystal clear" there would be no settlement without staff travel concessions being returned. | |
The union is seeking legal advice over the travel concession issue. | |
Willie Walsh (r) denies he is trying to "break" the union | Willie Walsh (r) denies he is trying to "break" the union |
It is also consulting lawyers about what it says is a move by BA to deny pay to strike breakers beyond strike dates. | |
A BA spokesman said: "We are absolutely in compliance with the legislation. | |
"Where a crew member has called in sick, they will have the opportunity to meet with their manager to explain the reasons. | |
"The manager has the discretion to reinstate pay and staff travel." | |
BA and Unite are in dispute over the airline's cost cutting plans, which include reducing the numbers of cabin crew on long-haul flights. | |
Analysts say BA needs to bring down its costs significantly. It is expected to announce the biggest loss in its privatised history when it reports its annual results later this year. | Analysts say BA needs to bring down its costs significantly. It is expected to announce the biggest loss in its privatised history when it reports its annual results later this year. |
Last year it lost more than £400m. | |
Will your travel plans be disrupted by the strike this weekend? Or are you a BA cabin crew member? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Will your travel plans be disrupted by the strike this weekend? Or are you a BA cabin crew member? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |