How will further union conflict affect British Airways?
As the friction between British Airways and Unite union continues to grow there are real fears about the future of British Airways with the company coming under more and more financial pressure. Despite the fact there appeared to be a breakthrough in talks between the two parties a while back it seemed as though they are now further apart than ever before with the union now calling for the reinstatement of travel perks lost during recent strike activity and the reinstatement of those sacked as a consequence of industrial action.
It is believed that strike action was temporarily suspended prior to the election as the Labour government attempted to gain power in what became a very difficult and very controversial general election. As the company faces the prospect of 20 days of industrial action beginning from next Tuesday the cost to British Airways will be in the region of £150 million. This comes at a time when the company is under more financial pressure than ever before, with a balance sheet stretched to the limit. When you also take into account issues with the company's pension scheme it is easy to see why fears for the future of British Airways continue to grow.
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