The result of the new vote by around 13,000 BA staff will be announced at the end of next month. Should they vote to strike in protest at the airline’s demand for cuts, the first action is likely to take place early in March. Unite would then be free to hold a series of walk outs which, with Easter falling at the beginning of April would have a large impact on the Airline over one of its busiest weekends of the year.
The union had planned to strike for 12-days over Christmas, but was prevented from doing so by a High Court injunction, despite overwhelming endorsement for industrial action in the original ballot. At the time Unite promised it would hold a fresh ballot as well as ongoing negotiations with the airline. A spokesman for the union reiterated what was said last month ie. they were prepared to meet with the airline at any time or place , to aim to reach an agreement between them and their employees.
Experts believe the ballot announcement will hit bookings with passengers choosing other airlines rather than have their travel plans put at risk. When Unite announced a strike ballot in November, there was a significant fall in bookings over the next five days before the BA then announced a seat sale which clouded the effect.
Those people travelling over the next two to three months, may book with a different airline than risk a repeat of what happened at Christmas. A British Airways spokesman said the company was “saddened” but not surprised by the strike ballot and was considering several options should the strikes go ahead. These included leasing aircraft and crew from other companies who would operate services on BA’s behalf. In addition Willie Walsh, the company’s chief executive, has written to staff asking if they would be willing to train as cabin crew to step into the shoes of those who went on strike.