British Airways CEO on union: Time to stand up and say 'no'

British Airways passengers may have to deal with the possibility of strikes throughout the summer. That's according to The Associated Press, which reports that union leaders at BA will seek a vote from members that would pave the way for future work disruptions.

AP writes that "as the last of 22 days of walkouts ... drew to a close on Wednesday, there was little sign of a resolution to the dispute, with BA boss Willie Walsh vowing to 'hold out as long as it takes.' Though BA has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights because of the walkouts in March, May and June, it has steadily increased services during the strike period as fewer workers participated in the action and it used quickly-trained staff from other departments."

In its efforts to minimize strike disruptions, BA also has contracted out some flight service to other air-service operators and has even booked some customers on rival carriers. AP says British Airways was able "to operate around 80% of its long-haul flights from Heathrow in the last five-day walkout." Still, the strikes have cost the airline more than $220 million, AP says.

CEO Walsh says cutbacks and changes to workplace practices must happen for BA to survive. "We're going to hold out for as long as it takes and we will continue to build up the amount of flying we're doing," Walsh is quoted as saying by AP. "I don't think we've been brave enough in the past to stand up and say, 'No.' "