British Airways considering last-minute deal to avert strike

The Unite union has today stepped forward with last-minute proposals which it believes could save British Airways up to £60 million a year and also avert strike action by cabin crews, expected over the Easter period. This comes at a time when relations between the union and the British Airways management are at an all-time low but both parties appear ready to negotiate on key points.

Last November British Airways cut back the number of cabin crew required for various routes and the unions hit back with a strike ballot which has resulted in the situation today. Initially the unions had been calling for the re-instalment of the additional one member of cabin crew per flight but now appear ready to negotiate this particular point. The truth is that British Airways has been under significant financial pressure for some months now and chief executive Willie Walsh has been forced to take action which has not been welcomed by the vast majority of British Airways employees.

Hopefully now that the Unite union and the British Airways management have extended last-minute talks we could see the Easter strike averted and hopefully a better relationship between the parties in the future. Whatever happens there will need to be changes at British Airways due to the company's weakened financial situation.