British Airways cabin crew to stage 72-hour strike in dispute over pay
BRITISH Airways cabin crew are to stage a 72-hour strike from January 19 in a dispute over pay.
Union Unite announced the industrial action following a two day walkout this week.
The union warned of "continuing and deepening" anger among members of the so-called mixed fleet crew, who have joined BA since 2010.
Unite claims they are on "poverty" pay rates, with many forced to take on second jobs or turn up for shifts if they are sick because they cannot afford to be off ill.
This week the airline was forced to cancel about 48 flights as major travel chaos was predicted as a series of strikes threatened to hit those returning to work.
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Unite national officer Oliver Richardson said: "British Airways should be under no illusion about our members' determination to secure a settlement that addresses their concerns over poverty pay.
"Seeking to squeeze ever more from cabin crew and making passengers pay for services which were once complimentary is a sad state of affairs for an airline which once described itself as the 'world's favourite'.
"We would urge British Airways to avoid the inconvenience and disruption of industrial action by meaningfully addressing levels of poverty pay which are causing financial worry and distress to 'mixed fleet' cabin crew."
Unite said over 800 mixed fleet cabin crew workers have joined the union since the start of the dispute, taking membership to over 2,900.
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