British airways cabin crew to vote on new strike ballot

Unite union is to ballot British Airways (BA) cabin crew over strike action once again, days after the two sides held peace talks.

The union has written to members asking them to vote from January 22 on industrial action. The ballot is expected to take about a month to complete. If cabin crew vote in favour of the walkout, it could take place as early as March 1.

In a letter to members, union leaders said the were “determined” to hold a new vote after the Christmas walkout failed to go ahead. 

The 12-day strike was averted when the High Court ruled that the strike was illegal because BA staff who had taken voluntary redundancy were allowed to vote.

Unite had pledged to negotiate with the airline last week in a bid to avert further strike action.

A Unite spokesman said: “As a result of the High Court injunction secured by BA before Christmas, Unite is re-balloting its cabin crew members employed at BA for industrial action. That process is continuing.”

A BA spokesman added: “We have been aware of this since December – Unite made clear their intentions to reballot following the High Court injunction. We have always said we will make ourselves available for talks.”