British Airways talks end in chaos
It is believed that British Airways and the Unite union were very close to an agreement yesterday when the ACAS HQ in London was stormed by protesters who actually made it into the suite where the talks were progressing. Amid chaotic scenes, Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways, was able to stay calm and call security for an escort from the building.
Union leaders were distraught at the timing of the demonstration as it was believed that British Airways had put forward a potentially acceptable compromise which the union was considering putting to members. However, once the demonstrators were allowed into the building the talks broke down very quickly and future talks are unlikely to be publicised and will be held in secret. Whether lasting damage has been done regarding the demonstration remains to be seen because the pressure on Willie Walsh was there for all to see.
It is believed that the main stumbling block in the quest for a resolution is the reinstatement of travel perks for 12,000 of the union's members who took strike action earlier this year. During the last strike activity Willie Walsh had warned these perks would be taken away from those members who decided to take industrial action. However, are we seeing signs of softening from Willie Walsh?
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