The Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) announced yesterday that British Airways' cabin crew are to strike for nine days in three separate stoppage periods, with the first commencing next Monday (January 29).

The union has announced that cabin crew members will take industrial action on January 29, 30 and 31; February 5, 6 and 7; and February 12, 13 and 14 and mayhem is being predicted for BA passengers if these strikes take place. Such disruption will also hit BA hard after the problems with fog just prior to Christmas and the heightened security delays caused last August.
For its part BA claims it ‘remains committed’ to resolving this dispute through continued talks, calling the decision to strike ‘totally unjustified’, but the TGWU says BA has just seven days to agree to fresh talks or strike action will go ahead.
But BA says the union is refusing to give any ground on its demands, claiming that the cabin crew's latest position includes a demand for a significant pay increase and a return to the ‘excessive levels of absence’ experienced before the airline's absence management policy was introduced.
Any readers travelling with BA between January 29 and February 16 can rebook their flights for a different date at no extra charge, said the airline today.