Low-paid British Airways cabin crew have called a further four-day strike next week, despite the airline saying that six days of strikes this week had no impact on its operations.
Unite, the union representing about 2,900 crew members in BA’s mixed fleet, called on the airline to join talks to reach an agreement to avoid further strikes, which are planned to run from Friday 17 to Monday 20 February.
But executives are adamant that there will be no negotiations and appear ready to sit out further action.
BA said it cancelled 34 flights this week because of strike action, but all passengers reached their destinations. It has staffed some planes with higher-paid BA crew from its long-standing long- and short-haul fleets, while some flights have been operated by airlines such as Titan.
Unite’s national officer, Oliver Richardson, said: “BA should focus on addressing poverty pay in its mixed fleet, rather than continuing to waste hundreds of thousands of pounds on chartering in aircraft to cover striking workers.
“Despite the bully boy tactics, the threats and the sanctions, our members in British Airways mixed fleet have continued to show great resolve in their fight for better pay. Mixed fleet cabin crew are the future of British Airways and deserve better.”
Basic pay in the mixed fleet, which all new recruits to BA join, starts at around £12,000, although the airline says crew earn a minimum of £21,000 after allowances and bonuses.
Speaking earlier, Willie Walsh, the chief executive of BA’s parent group, IAG, said: “The offer’s on the table. There are no negotiations. The strikes have had no effect, the passengers are flying and flights are operating, so I’d say this is completely futile action on the part of the union. The offer we’ve made is a fair offer.”
He said the action was having a “minimal, if any” impact on BA’s finances, adding: “It’s not being supported – that’s very clear. Over 75% of cabin crew have been coming to work. Over 80% voted [to strike], but not 80% are supporting it.
“I have some sympathy for the crews involved because I think they’ve been misled. The offer’s there, it’s still available to them – it’s not going to change. We have contingency plans that are robust and very effective. The strike is not in any way impacting, and it’s not going to change our views in relation to it.”
Unite said there was still strong support among crew for the strike. A parliamentary rally was held on Tuesday with support for the striking crew, with backers including the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell.
BA said it would again ensure all customers were flown to their destinations and would publish more details of any merged flights or contingencies next week.
