Trade union Unite has warned British Airways (BA) that industrial action is still on the cards despite losing a High Court action against the airline.
Unite claimed changes to pay and staffing levels last year had been imposed by management and went to the High Court to overturn the move.
The union had been set to strike over the dispute during the Christmas period, but a separate High Court action stopped it. A new strike ballot is ongoing, and will close on Monday (22 February).
Len McCluskey, Unite assistant general secretary, said: “Today’s regrettable judgment makes absolutely no difference to the substance of our dispute with British Airways. We remain in negotiations with the company and hope that management will address the real concerns of cabin crew. Should they fail to do so, industrial action remains a possibility.”
BA said the union “should reflect” on the ruling and withdraw its strike threat.
“Unite’s central demand over the last three months has been that we reverse these changes, despite the severe financial impact this would have on the company at a time when we are facing a second year of record annual losses,” the company said.
The changes are designed to cut costs at the airline, which made a pre-tax loss of £50m in the three months to December 2009.
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