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British Airways is seeking an injunction to block 12,000 cabin crew from a five-day strike starting May 18, saying the Unite union didn’t comply with UK. labor law during a vote. British Airways has applied to the High Court for the injunction, the London-based carrier said in an e-mailed statement. A hearing is scheduled for May 17. Earlier today, the airline and Unite both said that they would take part in talks initiated by Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, the national mediator.
Europe’s third-biggest carrier is facing four walkouts totaling 20 days after flight attendants rejected the latest proposals on pay and staffing levels. Unite has already staged two strikes over seven days in March that cost the company 45 million pounds ($66 million), while disruption from the volcanic eruption in Iceland may wipe 100 million pounds from sales.
“The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 requires unions to send everyone eligible to vote details of the exact breakdown of the ballot result,” British Airways said its statement. “We do not believe Unite properly complied with this requirement.” Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh cut cabin-crew staffing levels in November without union approval after the recession hurt demand for travel.
Unite says that while the CEO’s current offer is more attractive than previous ones, he must restore travel perks to workers who walked out in March and reinstate people sacked or suspended during the dispute to win consideration for the plan.
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