British
Airways (BA) is expected to announce cuts of up to £300m to its annual running
costs, putting up to 4,000 jobs at risk.
Details
of the cuts will be announced this Wednesday (28 January) and are part of the
airline’s attempts to reduce the workforce by 13,000 jobs or 23 per cent
between August 2001 and March 2004.
BA
hopes to improve productivity through reformed working practices and reduced
absenteeism by introducing more part-time working and unpaid leave.
The
airline has promised to work closely with the unions to avoid provoking
industrial action. Strikes by check-in staff in summer 2003 cost the company
millions.
