BA calls in Acas to avert strike action
BRITISH AIRWAYS (BA) said it asked the conciliation service Acas to intervene in a bid to reach a deal with unions on jobs and pay yesterday.
Talks between BA and the Unite and GMB unions aimed at agreeing a series of cost-cutting measures including a pay freeze and more than 3,500 job losses broke up without agreement on Tuesday night.
BA said: “It has not proved possible to conclude an agreement with the trade unions on our pay and productivity discussions by the deadline of 30 June.”
It added: “We have therefore asked the conciliation service Acas to facilitate any future meetings we may have.”
BA is struggling as the economic downturn continues to hurt its business. It recently asked staff to work for nothing for a month to save money. BA is also pushing for significant changes in working conditions.
A breakdown in negotiations would lead to the threat of industrial action by thousands of BA workers over the busy summer months, which would heap more problems on BA.
Unite and the GMB are willing to keep talking and said they want “a mutually acceptable way forward which protects the long- term interests of our members, loyal BA customers, investors and the company.”
But a number of sticking points remain, including fears of compulsory job losses as well as concerns over planned changes to consultations over redundancies.