The labor union of British Airways employees has scheduled a British Airways strike to start next week although negotiations have been ongoing. The company wants guaranteed employment and more concession on air travel perks. British Airways is trying to ask the union to accept cost cutting actions. The British Airway might need money advance loans to survive the British Airways strike.
Strike plans British Airways
The current plan for the British Airways strike is a 20-day strike, split into four 5-day chunks. Seven days before the planned walkout, the British Airways strike was announced. Incorporated within the strike is “cabin attendants” that will ground British Airways flights. The dates for the British Airways strike presently are May 18 to May 22, May 24 to May 28, May 30 to June 3, and June 5 to June 9. This walkout will stop all air traffic in Europe, as well as continuing issues with the Icelandic ash cloud.
At issue with the British Airways strike
The latest round of negotiations that have led to the British Airways strike stem from cost-cutting actions instigated last year. In March of last year, British Airways strikes ended up costing British Airways 45 million pounds. Free travel perks were taken away and a number of employees were fired because of that strike. Employees just ask for these perks to be reinstated. .
Try to keep service open by British Airways
Though the planned British Airways strike will ground much of BA’s air service, the airline is attempting to keep services running. Private planes could be hired by British Airways and they will be booking with other airlines also to maintain services. $ 67 million are lost each day each seven days of service stoppage. BA was at first going to be recording 800 million pounds per year. It’s too bad the pay freezes, staffing levels, and other costs are still at issue with BA and their employee union.
Sources
SF Gate
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/05/09/bloomberg1376-L27NMU0YHQ0X-1.DTL
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10105863.stm
