BA chief dents hopes of strike talks breakthrough
Hopes of a last-ditch deal to avert the first of a series of strikes by British Airways cabin crew plunged today when the airline’s chief executive said he did not expect any progress to be made during peace talks.
Willie Walsh launched a strong attack against the Unite union, claiming that its leadership did not have any control over the running of the bitter row over pay, jobs and staffing levels.
Mr Walsh said as he arrived for a meeting with new Transport Secretary Philip Hammond that the airline was preparing to put into place its contingency plans for dealing with the first of four five-day walkouts tomorrow.
“We have contingency plans in place and I am optimistic that we will be able to build on that. Our aim is to make sure BA continues to fly.”
Mr Walsh said he did not expect progress to made during talks between the two sides later today at the conciliation service Acas.
