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Cabin crews approve BA strike

15/01/2007

British Airways (BA) faced a fresh clash with its cabin crew this morning after members of the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) voted to strike against "management by imposition".

The ballot, which the T&G said was supported by more than 90 per cent of those who voted, follows the approval of a pensions-related strike on Friday by the GMB general union.

Among the grievances listed are contested pay grading, onboard staffing and responsibility levels, as well as a lack of sickness absence policies.

"BA cabin crew have voted to say the airline has gone too far," T&G secretary-general Jack Dromey commented.

"BA must rebuild the trust of its cabin crew by negotiating rather than imposing change and by listening to its staff rather than riding roughshod over their concerns."

Responding to news of the ballot, BA said it was "very disappointed" by the threat of "completely unnecessary strike action".

"We believe the T&G should pause to reflect before threatening the travel plans of our customers and their families," the airline said in a statement.

"We have not been seeking to achieve new ways of working by imposition, but by negotiation – as in many other areas of our business."

Union leaders are due to meet with BA bosses tomorrow in an attempt to negotiate a way out of the strikes.

Shares in BA fell sharply following news of the ballot's result, dropping by 1.27 per cent on morning trading.

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