London – British Airlines, British Airways (BA) strike affected the work of the crew. Thousands of BA cabin crew today began a strike which will last three days. The strike is to protest the planned reduction of operational costs that BA will have an impact on worker wages. BA plans to save the previous spending of £ 62.5 million to overcome the negative impacts that arise because of declining passenger, fuel price fluctuations and competition with other airlines. More than 1,000 BA flights will have a three-day cancellation of the strike. Strike was carried out after negotiations between the leadership of the UK’s largest trade union, Unite, Tony Woodley with BA chief executive Willie Walsh at a stalemate. “With great disappointment I have to say that all negotiations had failed,” said Woodley told reporters as quoted by AFP news agency on Saturday (20/3/2010).
“This company (BA) did not want to negotiate, these companies only want to fight with my members,” Woodley added. Total flight BA 1100 from approximately 1950 scheduled flights during the strike will be canceled. BA was determined to keep flying at least 60 percent of passengers who rely on the staff did not join the strike. BA also will use 22 aircraft with the pilot and crew of eight other European airlines. Prime Minister (PM) United Kingdom Gordon Brown called on BA management and the workers to return to talks as soon as possible.
Santosamaru 