April 28, 2010 - Unite remains in dispute with British Airways after the failure of negotiations with the company to produce an acceptable agreement to end the company’s confrontation with its cabin crew, the union announced on Tuesday.

The union will ballot its 12,000 cabin crew members on the company’s latest offer, with a strong recommendation that they reject it.

In view of the continuing disruption to BA’s operations caused by the Icelandic volcano eruption and the fact that many passengers remain stranded abroad, the union is not announcing any further strike dates at this stage.

“In my view this represents a major failure of industrial statesmanship on Mr Walsh’s part. At a time when British Airways needs stability, and when agreement was in reach, he has decided to put it all at risk for the sake of management machismo and a desire for revenge.

“So I am asking all British Airways cabin crew to stand up for their union and their own sense of dignity and self-respect and reject the offer in the forthcoming ballot. Should they do so, I hope management will at last come to its senses and negotiate a sensible agreement.”