Menu
15/03/2010
Brown Attacks Unite Over BA Strike
The Labour party leader has 'turned on' a leading trade union and slammed their planned walk-out.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown used a radio interview this morning to hit out at the Unite union as talks with its leadership failed to produce a breakthrough and a three-day stoppage by airline cabin crew looms for this weekend.
Gordon Brown has labelled the looming British Airways cabin crew strike as "unjustified and deplorable", as the Government steps up the pressure on the Unite trade union.
He turned on one of the Labour party's biggest donors after conversations with the Unite leadership failed to produce a breakthrough at the weekend.
Asked in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour whether Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary, was right in yesterday calling the strikes "totally unjustified", Brown said: "I agree. It is the wrong time, it is unjustified, it is deplorable, we shouldn't have a strike.
"It is not in the company's interest, it is not in the workers' interest and it is certainly not in the national interest. I hope that this strike will be called off."
Meanwhile, British Airways is preparing to announce its strike-breaking schedule later today after pledging it will run up to seven out of 10 flights during a three-day cabin crew walkout due to begin on Saturday.
Despite calls from Unite to resubmit a last-ditch peace offer, BA appears set on getting through the strike this weekend, which will be followed by a four-day walkout from the following Saturday.
BA's Chief Executive, Willie Walsh, said yesterday that he hopes to run up to 70% of BA's daily schedule during the walkouts - meaning that around 490 flights will still operate each day.
More than 500,000 passengers will be affected by the seven days of strikes but BA has already offered full refunds to anyone who has booked to travel with the airline between 19 March and 31 March.
(BMcC/GK)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown used a radio interview this morning to hit out at the Unite union as talks with its leadership failed to produce a breakthrough and a three-day stoppage by airline cabin crew looms for this weekend.
Gordon Brown has labelled the looming British Airways cabin crew strike as "unjustified and deplorable", as the Government steps up the pressure on the Unite trade union.
He turned on one of the Labour party's biggest donors after conversations with the Unite leadership failed to produce a breakthrough at the weekend.
Asked in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour whether Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary, was right in yesterday calling the strikes "totally unjustified", Brown said: "I agree. It is the wrong time, it is unjustified, it is deplorable, we shouldn't have a strike.
"It is not in the company's interest, it is not in the workers' interest and it is certainly not in the national interest. I hope that this strike will be called off."
Meanwhile, British Airways is preparing to announce its strike-breaking schedule later today after pledging it will run up to seven out of 10 flights during a three-day cabin crew walkout due to begin on Saturday.
Despite calls from Unite to resubmit a last-ditch peace offer, BA appears set on getting through the strike this weekend, which will be followed by a four-day walkout from the following Saturday.
BA's Chief Executive, Willie Walsh, said yesterday that he hopes to run up to 70% of BA's daily schedule during the walkouts - meaning that around 490 flights will still operate each day.
More than 500,000 passengers will be affected by the seven days of strikes but BA has already offered full refunds to anyone who has booked to travel with the airline between 19 March and 31 March.
(BMcC/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 May 2010
BA And Union To Hold Strike Talks
British Airways (BA) and Unite the union will meet today to try to prevent the latest series of strikes by its cabin crew. The meeting is to be chaired by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) at 4pm today. BA boss Willie Walsh and Unite General Secretary Tony Woodley are also to meet with Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.
BA And Union To Hold Strike Talks
British Airways (BA) and Unite the union will meet today to try to prevent the latest series of strikes by its cabin crew. The meeting is to be chaired by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) at 4pm today. BA boss Willie Walsh and Unite General Secretary Tony Woodley are also to meet with Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.
17 December 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.
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.
16 December 2009
BA Opens Talks With Union
British Airways and union officials have agreed to talks aimed at averting a walk-out by cabin crew over the festive period. Unite is expected to meet with airline bosses later this afternoon, but the 12-day strike action, due to commence on 22 December, remains in place. However, BA has pledged to challenge this decision through the courts.
BA Opens Talks With Union
British Airways and union officials have agreed to talks aimed at averting a walk-out by cabin crew over the festive period. Unite is expected to meet with airline bosses later this afternoon, but the 12-day strike action, due to commence on 22 December, remains in place. However, BA has pledged to challenge this decision through the courts.
05 September 2007
Commuters Face Further Tube Delays
Commuters in London are still facing travel misery on the Tube, despite the fact that a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers has been called off. The RMT union called off the strike action, which began at 6pm on Monday and involved around 2,300 employees, following talks with London Underground officials.
Commuters Face Further Tube Delays
Commuters in London are still facing travel misery on the Tube, despite the fact that a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers has been called off. The RMT union called off the strike action, which began at 6pm on Monday and involved around 2,300 employees, following talks with London Underground officials.
15 December 2009
BA Takes Legal Action To Stop Strike
British Airways has launched legal action in a bid to stop a planned 12-day strike by cabin crew staff in a protest over new working practices over the festive period.
BA Takes Legal Action To Stop Strike
British Airways has launched legal action in a bid to stop a planned 12-day strike by cabin crew staff in a protest over new working practices over the festive period.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
