5th British Airways Strike Begins
British Airways’ cabin crew ended their fourth strike on Thursday but then started their fifth walkout on Saturday. This comes as part of a 16-month dispute over changes to working practices and pay, with travel perks becoming part of the equation when the airline withdrew them from striking staff in March.
Both the airline and Unite, the union representing the cabin crew, failed to come to an agreement last week, which would have stopped this newest industrial action. With no plans for further negotiations, it doesn’t look like a deal will be made anytime soon. This may mean that the union will ballot its members for further strike action, which they have already threatened. If this happens, passengers will be facing flight cancellations throughout the summer, while the carrier will face even more losses.
Meanwhile, the strikes have caused passenger traffic at British Airways to fall nearly 12% during the month of May. The airline has had to cancel many services, which has made passengers rebook with other rivals, who are reporting higher than usual passenger numbers as a result. The walkouts have also cost the airline about £126 million total.
Sophie Greenyer, a spokeswoman for British Airways, however, says that the number of crew showing up for work at Heathrow Airport has been more than anticipated, which means they have been able to operate more long-haul services than planned. She had previously said that the carrier plans to fly over 85% of long-haul destinations this week, along with a full schedule of operations to South Africa for the World Cup, which starts on Friday, June 11. Greenyer also said that they will continue operating a full schedule at London City and Gatwick airports.
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