Put cuts on hold, union urges BA

BA says it has already announced 3,700 cuts in total

The Unite union has urged British Airways not to impose job cuts or make changes to pay and conditions, in a bid to avoid strike action.

The two sides met for talks after BA said last week it was cutting 1,700 jobs, freezing pay for current staff, and cutting wages for new employees.

The union says "the ball is now very firmly in BA's court".

A further meeting is planned between Unite and BA boss Willie Walsh next week.

"We have urged the company to remove the threat of imposition so that we can continue to talk on 21 October with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution," said Steve Turner, Unite national officer.

"It is in BA's hands now. Removing the threat of imposition would let common sense break out and allow a solution to be found."

Unions say they'll have no option but to ballot for industrial action if BA's changes are imposed on staff.

The cuts are part of a total of 3,700 jobs to be axed over the next year.

BA says in addition to the 1,700 cabin crew jobs, it is looking at finding additional cuts among check-in and administration staff.

'Fundamental attack'

The talks between senior BA managers and Unite bosses took place at the conciliation service Acas.

Unite joint leaders Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson say BA's proposals, which are due to be imposed from 16 November, are a "fundamental attack" on jobs, wages and career opportunities.

BA says the planned 3,700 job cuts are on top of the reduction of 2,500 employers achieved between June 2008 and March 2009.

In the year to the end of March, BA made a loss of £401m - its biggest loss since it was privatised in 1987 - and has warned that it expects to make another loss in the current financial year.