London, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – As expected, the British Airways cabin crew union unanimously voted to hold a 10-day strike. Unite announced on Monday 80.7 percent of the union members favored an industrial action.
The “Yes” votes numbered 7,482, while the “No” votes totaled 1,789. Unite issued 11,691 ballot papers, while voter turnout was 78.7 percent.
However, there is no definite date yet when will the 10-day strike take place. The cabin crew is protesting over the reduction of crew as one of the cost-cutting measures taken by the air carrier because of the contraction of the aviation industry.
BA has not yet issued a statement on the result of the union vote. Late last year, the Unite planned a 12-day Christmas strike, but BA got a court sanction against the industrial action.
Unite Assistant General Secretary Len McClusky said in a statement, “With this overwhelming vote in the teeth of BA harassment and media misrepresentation, BA’s cabin crew have made clear that the deep sense of grievance they feel about their treatment by their employer remains.”
She added, “Our members are not mindless militants but men and women committed to their company and their profession, so it is right that they want to be consulted on changes to their jobs. The only way forward for this airline is if all parties can negotiate a solution to the issues before us. In recent weeks we have been in serious discussion with BA. We sincerely hope that the continued strength of the vote by crew will give BA pause for thought.”
The Unite vote came a day after Lufthansa pilots suspended for two weeks a planned strike over cost cutting measures made by the German airline. The pilots union suspended the strike until March 8 to give the management and union a chance to resume talks.