British Airways cabin crew are set to take part in an online consultative ballot over whether to back a peace deal in the dispute or to push for further strike action, it has been reported.
12,000 staff affiliated to the Unite union will be able to fill in the web ballot when it opens for five days from Tuesday (April 27). They will have a straight choice whether to back a deal proposed by the airline or to move to announce further strike dates.
An e-mail sent to members by Bassa, the branch of Unite that includes British Airways crew, "It is our intention to seek your views in the form of an online ballot, which will run for a period of five days. You will then either choose to accept the deal or give notice for further strike dates."
The details of the deal have not been made public, but significant progress was said to have been made in the latest talks between management and joint general secretary of Unite, Tony Woodley. However, in order to recommend the deal to its members, the union wants reassurances on the treatment of staff who had their perks removed, or faced individual disciplinary action, for taking part in the strike. There are around 50 staff facing such disciplinary cases and the deal could yet founder if management do not offer these reassurances.
A BA spokesman said: “We continue to have conversations with Unite but have received no official communication from Bassa in regard to any ballot. We have said for several weeks that it is time to put this dispute behind us.”
What really gets my goat is this utter bullsh*t about the fact that staff are facing disciplinary cases for "taking part in the strike".
UTTER GARBAGE.
Otherwise several thousand would be facing disciplinary action.
They are facing disciplinary action for a number of reasons, and there is a legitimate process in place to deal with this. This is just more BASSA blackmail.
Well
them, Willie.