BA staff put off strike action

Thu Nov 5 2009 16:59:26

British Airways cabin crew will work new schedules brought in by the airline.

The Unite union and the firm have agreed to come back on February 1.

Up until then, staff have said they will "unwillingly" follow the changes before a full trial of the legal dispute next year.

The row between the pair is over cost-cutting proposals, which are due to start on November 16.

BA says that it is entitled unilaterally to reduce cabin crew complements on board their Worldwide and Eurofleet flights as these are not terms of individual cabin crew members' contracts. But Unite says say the company would be in breach of contract by imposing the changes.

It means the pre-Christmas travel chaos being predicted is unlikely to materialise.

The estimated five-day hearing in February will resolve whether there should be a permanent injunction preventing BA from imposing the cost-cutting measures.

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