British Airways ready for strike

British Airways has stand-ins ready in case of strike. They have 1,000 volunteer staff trained and ready to take over shifts for the cabin crews, in case of strike in the coming weeks, according to chief executive Willie Walsh.

The airline has been working to put into place their contingency plan since the union members voted eight-to-one in favour of strike in the dispute over pay and conditions last month.

In addition to the 1,000 volunteers already in place, another 5,000 are in the process of being trained.

Mr Walsh stressed that the cost-cutting plans are vital for the airlines to bounce back from the recession. He also said the company is doing all it can to ensure operations are not disrupted. All BA flights from London City will go ahead regardless of the strike. Some 70 per cent of Gatwick cabin crews are committed to working normally, so the long-haul schedule from the airport will remain unchanged as will half the short-haul flights. At Heathrow, BA has 23 fully-crewed charter aircraft ready to help take the strain.

“Let me be clear: if Unite proceeds to strike dates and then an actual strike, it will not soften our position,” Mr Walsh said. “In fact, it will harden our position because we will be forced to seek additional savings to recoup the losses a strike will cause. And crew who take part in a strike, consciously inflicting damage on our business, will permanently lose eligibility for staff travel.”