There could be potential misery for British Airways passengers at Heathrow Airport next week as cabin crew have announced a new 48-hour strike.
Members of Unite the Union plan to stage the strike on Tuesday January 10 and Wednesday January 11 over an ongoing dispute over pay.
Unite has said the strike comes after British Airways refused to authorise a strike vote to allow for talks to resolve the dispute to continue.
The walk out is in relation to the airline's recently joined mixed fleet cabin crew who Unite said receive lower pay than other staff members.
It follows the suspension of a planned two day strike over Christmas Day and Boxing Day to allow for last minute talks with conciliation service, Acas.
Mixed fleet crew who are part of Unite represent 15% of British Airways cabin crew, operating on flights to and from Heathrow.
Unite national officer Oliver Richardson said: “British Airways is needlessly provoking strike action by refusing to extend the mandate of the strike ballot and allow meaningful talks to take place.
“Instead of listening to why its ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew rejected the offer negotiated at Acas, British Airways has sought instead to try and bully a workforce of young men and women who are trying to eke out a living on poverty pay.
“Such game playing and a desire to seek confrontation is not only a great disservice to passengers, but shows an unwillingness by British Airways to engage in constructive industrial relations.
“Unite remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement which meets our members’ aspirations can be achieved and would urge British Airways to engage constructively in meaningful talks to address poverty pay.”
A spokesman for British Airways said: "We are extremely disappointed that Unite has once again chosen to target our customers.
"We are looking to ensure that all of our customers, with bookings on those two days, will travel to their destinations."
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