British Airways cabin crew extend strike into August holiday peak

Striking British Airways cabin crew have announced a further two weeks of action for the first half of August in their battle over pay and sanctions at the airline. Crew in the lower-paid mixed fleet working out of Heathrow started the latest 14-day walkout on 19 July, their 46th day on strike since January, meaning a month of strikes will now take place during the summer holiday peak. BA has said it has so far flown every booked passenger to their destination during the strikes, by merging departures, leasing planes and crew from outside, and rebooking onto other airlines. The mixed fleet crew represent about one-third of BA’s total cabin staff, and around 60% of them are in the Unite union. A British Airways spokesman said: “As during Unite’s previous industrial action, we will ensure all our customers reach their destinations. “Instead of calling further completely unnecessary strikes, Unite should allow its members a vote on the pay deal we reached two months ago.” Unite believes the extended action will soon leave BA unable to fill holes in rosters as non-striking crew – including some drafted in from other departments – reach a legal maximum on flying hours.<br/>