Union members protest during last strike (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
By DAVID STEWART WHITE
Examiner.com
May 18 , 2010
A British court has blocked a planned May 18 strike by the airline's cabin crew union, but the airline was still forced to cancel flights. The court ruling came too late to reinstate the airline's complete schedule for May 18 and 19 and some cancellations may continue until the weekend.
The Unite cabin crew union has appealed the court ruling and an appeal decision is expected by May 20.
Before the court stepped in, the 20 day cabin walkout was scheduled for:
• May 18-22
• May 24-28,
• May 30-June 3, and
• June 5-9.
In December 2009, British Airways went to court and successfully blocked a strike by the Unite cabin crew union. The union eventually re-balloted its members and held strikes in March. British Airways managed to operate a significant portion of its transatlantic flight schedule using non-striking cabin crew, trained volunteers from within British Airways, and chartered aircraft. On flights that did operate, there were some reductions in the level of cabin services (primarily special meal service).
Schedules and information can be found on the British Airways website and travelers should check for updates frequently.
Comments