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Cabin crew on collision course with easyJet

05/05/2006

Budget airline easyJet is facing the threat of industrial action in a dispute over the pay levels of its cabin crews.

Over 1,500 of the 2,000 cabin crew staff employed by easyJet will be balloted by the Transport and General Workers (T&G) Union over the possibility of strike action.

The proposed strike is set to take place at the height of the summer holiday period in about six weeks' time in an apparent attempt to maximise the damage to easyJet's profits.

"We are particularly disappointed that the T&G has chosen to stir-up unnecessary and damaging speculation on industrial action," said easyJet's chief executive, Andrew Harrison.

"This can only be detrimental to the interests of everyone at easyJet, including those represented by the T&G."

Although easyJet pointed out that the proposed two-year offer sent to its staff earlier today increases pay rates at twice the rate of inflation, the T&G argued that its proposal was "significantly inferior" to the salaries offered to easyJet's pilots.

"We have shown a readiness to be flexible in our demands, but the company is now indicating that it is no longer interested in negotiating," said T&G negotiator John Street.

Today's impasse, the end of a seven-month negotiation period, leaves travellers facing a repeat of last summer's mass cancellations in the wake of BA's dispute with catering firm Gate Gourmet.

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