British Airways loses legal action to block pilot strikes

British Airways failed Tuesday in a legal attempt to block a planned strike action by pilots, but immediately said it intends to appeal the decision. A High Court in London rejected BA’s call to scrap the results of the BALPA vote, saying the union’s member ballot for industrial action had been conducted correctly. The ballot produced a 93% vote in favour of a strike over a pay claim. BALPA urged the airline to negotiate rather than resort to the courts. “While we’re pleased with the judge’s decision, we’re frustrated that time has been wasted,” it said. “BA could have spent this time coming back to the negotiating table instead of trying—and failing—to tie us up in legal knots." BA said: “We are very disappointed with today’s decision. We will continue to pursue every avenue to protect the holidays of thousands of our customers this summer." <br/>