British Airways and union leaders will return to the negotiating table later today in another attempt to avert the 12-day strike that threatens to disrupt Christmas for nearly a million people, the Guardian is reporting.
It is understood that face-to-face discussions between BA's chief executive, Willie Walsh, and the joint general secretaries of Unite, Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson, are struggling to find a way forward but will resume today. BA will also head back to the high court in an attempt to secure an injunction to prevent cabin crew staging a mass walkout from next Tuesday to January 2.
The threat of disruption has already pushed up the cost of flying with other airlines, as BA passengers try to arrange contingency plans in case the strike does go ahead. There are reports this morning, however, that some BA cabin crew are becoming concerned about the implications of withdrawing their labour for nearly two weeks. Staff did not know the length of the strike action when they were balloted.
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