BA Workers Back Picket

British Airways cabin crew have voted to take industrial action against their employer.

The Unite union said a ballot of its members had resulted in overwhelming vote for strike action in a long-running dispute over imposed changes to crew numbers and working practices.

Over 80% of all those who returned their ballot forms voted yes to industrial action on a 78% turnout.

Unite said 7,482 of crew members balloted voted yes with 1,789 crew voting no; 11,691 ballot papers were issued.

However, the union has not announced dates for industrial action.

The union's assistant general secretary Len McCluskey said: "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.

"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."

He said that in recent weeks Unite had been in serious discussions with BA.

"We sincerely hope that the continued strength of the vote by crew will give BA pause for thought."

Mr McCluskey continued: "Meaningful negotiations are continuing at the TUC and bringing them to a successful conclusion is the only way to resolve this dispute. That is why we are not announcing dates for industrial action at this stage."

While most, 75%, of BA's crew earn only £20,000 at the top of their earnings, the dispute is not about pay.

The dispute was triggered by the imposition in November 2009 by BA of new working practices.

Cabin crew are concerned that the reduced crew will impact on service standards but are also very worried that BA's refusal to consult on these changes means that the company has broken with the long-standing negotiating structures, which have delivered significant flexibility to the company including changes needed following 9/11 and the SARS outbreak.

(PR/BMcC)