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LONDON - Thousands of British Airways cabin crew plan to stage a two-day strike at the end of the month after talks between the carrier and its largest union broke down yesterday.
Europe's third-largest airline, however, called on the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) to reverse its decision and seek a deal to address BA's pension deficit and approve new working conditions.
"We are bitterly disappointed that the T&G has refused to respond positively to the serious proposals we have made on the union's two crucial issues," BA chief executive Willie Walsh said. "It has chosen instead to confirm a 48-hour stoppage for next week that will wreck the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of customers."
A union spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
The decision came after more than 24 hours of talks.
The T&G had earlier called off the first day of a 72-hour walkout.
BA said 11,000 of its 15,000 cabin crew staff were members of the union.
The company plans to announce its timetable for the two days affected by the walkout - January 30 and 31 - today.
- REUTERS
