British Airways and Unite end dispute

The long and at times bitter dispute between British Airways and Unite, over working conditions, is set to come to an end.

Union members will be balloted in the coming weeks for a final resolution and Unite will issue a “strong recommendation” that members vote yes to accepting the deal, he said.

No further industrial action will be called in the meantime.

“This issue has now been resolved,” said McCluskey, Unite’s general manager: “I am particularly pleased that staff travel concessions will be restored in full with the signing of the agreement.”

He also said a “new structure for working together” has been negotiated by British Airways and Unite.

British Airways issued a statement saying it is “pleased” that an agreement has been reached and the threat of industrial action removed.

In a message to employees at BA, Keith Williams, the airline’s CEO, said: “Our agreement with Unite involves acknowledgement by the union that the structural changes we have made in crew operations are permanent.

“The changes in numbers of onboard crew will remain, and the recruitment of new crew at Heathrow on different terms and conditions will continue.”

He added: “We all have enormous admiration for the professionalism and skills of British Airways cabin crew. Together we have a great future in serving our customers and making this airline the envy of our competitors. It is time for us all to move forward.”

The dispute is thought to have cost the airline more than £150 million.

Published on May 13, 2011