British Airways close to resolving cabin crew dispute

British Airways' cabin crew will have to decide this week whether to hold another series of strikes or whether to back a peace deal offered by the airline and bring to an end a dispute that has threatened to cripple the loss-making airline.

The cabin crew's union Unite admitted last week that it was close to reaching an acceptable agreement with British Airways over new working conditions for crew, but the two sides are still arguing over the airlines' punishment of staff who took part in earlier strikes.

British Airways removed travel perks for cabin crew who took part in stoppages last month and also took disciplinary action against 50 crew due to their role in the dispute.

Unite wants travel perks reinstated and the disciplinary action taken against any union members halted.

While Unite claimed it was possible the dispute would lead to further strikes by the 12,000 British Airways cabin crew, this now seems unlikely.

British Airways' cabin crew have five days to vote on the new peace deal offered by the airline and the feeling from inside Unite is that the majority of crew are ready to accept. Many cabin crew were annoyed with the union for not accepting an earlier peace offer by British Airways.

A further spate of industrial action could cost British Airways more than £6million a day, plunging it further into the red. The airline lost £5.5million a day when flights were grounded due to the volcanic ash crisis and although it has considerable cash reserves, any further losses are bound to threaten its future.

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