British Airways cabin crew to stage 6-day walkout in pay dispute

British Airways cabin crew are to step up strike action by holding a 6-day walkout in early February, in an escalating dispute about pay. Approximately 2,900 members of Unite in the mixed fleet division, a branch of predominantly younger and lower-paid BA recruits, will strike for 3 days from Sunday Feb 5, and again from Thursday Feb 9. The action follows 2 strikes totalling 5 days in January, which forced BA to cancel scores of flights. The airline said disruption to passengers was minimal, with all flying to their destinations on alternative or merged departures. BA also leased planes and crew from Titan Airways to operate dozens more flights on its behalf. Union reps from the mixed fleet urged the airline to engage in further talks to avert more action. <br/>