IAG's British Airways cabin crew call two-week strike

British Airways cabin crew have called a two week strike and alongside union Unite have threatened the International Consolidated Airlines Group carrier with legal action after 1,400 cabin crew were sanctioned for striking as part of a long-running pay dispute.

The strike, which was called by 'mixed fleet' cabin crew from midnight on Saturday 1 July midnight on Sunday 16 July, as the union accused BA of forming a blacklist to impose sanctions on striking cabin crew, which it said included the withdrawal of bonus payments "worth hundreds of pounds" and staff travel concessions.

In 2010 BA introduced a new cabin crew contract called ‘mixed fleet’, where basic pay starts at what Unite says is £12,192, with £3 an hour flying pay, with Unite estimating an average ‘mixed fleet’ flight attendant earn £16,000, including allowances, per year.

BA maintains new mixed fleet cabin crew working full time receive more than £21,000 "based on pay, allowances, incentive and bonus" in their first year, which the company said was in line with cabin crew at competitor airlines.

In talks at the Acas conciliation service earlier this week, Unite expressed "deep frustration" over BA's failure to send its key decision makers to the talks.

Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said: “The refusal by British Airways bosses to meaningfully consider our compromise offer is deeply disappointing.

"A resolution to this long running dispute was within the grasp of British Airways, but instead of grabbing that opportunity, bosses rebuffed it. It now means British Airways faces an entirely avoidable two week strike and prolonged legal action on behalf of over 1,400 mixed cabin crew."

A spokesperson for BA said: "This proposed strike action is extreme and completely unnecessary. We had reached a deal on pay, which Unite agreed was acceptable. Unite has already confirmed it is pursuing the non-pay issues in this dispute through the courts.

"We urge Unite to let its members vote on the pay proposals."

BA pledged the airline would fly all customers to their destinations.

The spokesperson added that the proposal for mixed fleet cabin crew "is consistent with pay deals agreed with Unite for other British Airways colleagues".