17/12/2009

BA Strike Stopped By Court

A proposed 12-day strike by British Airways cabin crew was deemed illegal at the High Court today.

BA won an injunction against the action after claiming the union ballot wrongly included staff who were being made redundant.

Talks between airline bosses and union officials ended without a resolution yesterday.

The industrial action, which was due to commence on 22 December, had the potential to disrupt millions of air passengers over the festive period. This cannot now go ahead.

Unite, the union representing cabin crew, has long voiced its opposition to continued cut backs by British Airways.

On Monday, around 90% of those members balloted supported strike action.

However, BA claimed the vote was invalid as it included staff who were leaving the company and therefore would not be working for it during any strike.

Unite said it had sent a text message telling all staff leaving the carrier not to vote on the issue.

Around 1,000 cabin crew workers were expected to participate in the walkout.

Unite called the judgment a "a disgraceful day for democracy" and vowed to hold a fresh ballot.

British Airways said the decision would be welcomed by "hundreds of thousands of families in the UK and around the world".

"There was never any need for a strike and we hope that Unite will take this opportunity to reflect before deciding its next steps," a statement from the company said.

(PR/KMcA)

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