BA faces more disruption from cabin crew strike

BA flight attendants are threatening a strike, just days after a computer failure disrupted travel for more than 75,000 passengers and put the carrier’s cost cuts under scrutiny. Members of the Unite union plan to walk out from June 16 through June 19 after the airline suspended travel benefits for flight attendants who participated in 26 days of strikes over pay earlier this year. The airline and Unite subsequently reached an agreement over salaries, but the union hasn’t presented the deal to members because of the dispute over the travel benefits. “Punishing staff for using legitimate industrial means to reach a wage deal is a culture that Unite cannot accept and a culture that will ultimately damage the BA brand,” Unite assistant secretary general Howard Beckett said. He cited the airline’s “persistent refusal” to hand back free flight benefits to workers. A spokeswoman for the airline urged Unite to present the agreement to its members. “We had reached a deal on pay,” she said. “Strike action is completely unnecessary.” The union said the strike won’t prevent travelers from reaching their destinations.<br/>