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BA Strike averted: UK High Court blocks British Airways Christmas cabin crew strike

By Amarendra Bhushan for CEOWORLD Magazine Updated:December 17, 2009

UK High Court has issued an emergency injunction to stop a 12-day strike by the British Airways PLC’s (PINK:BABWF) (OTC:BAIRY) cabin crew staff over Christmas. Cabin-crew members on Monday voted in favor of a strike—by a 92.5% majority—having been angered by the airline’s attempt to streamline the company.

Cabin crew were due to walk out on Tuesday and not return to work until Jan 3 in a dispute over radical cost cutting plans planned by the airline.

Unite joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley said the court’s ruling represented a “disgraceful day for democracy” given that 92 per cent of cabin crew staff had voted in favour of the strike.

During the proceedings, which began yesterday afternoon, Bruce Carr, QC, for BA, told the judge that the balloting process contained “serious and substantial irregularities”. The strike, due to start next Tuesday, would deprive “literally millions of people of a happy Christmas”, he said.

British Airways is the United Kingdom’s largest airline, with over 38,000 employees. The company operates a fleet of 291 aircraft to 157 destinations in 76 countries.

According to a BBC report, a statement form the British Airways read: “There was never any need for a strike and we hope that Unite will take this opportunity to reflect before deciding its next steps.”

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