Brown calls for BA strike resolution – eventually
Gordon Brown has called for a resolution of the British Airways (BA) cabin crew dispute “as quickly as possible”, after the Tories attacked the Unite union’s links to the Labour party.
This morning Unite announced a three-day walkout from March 20th to March 22nd will be followed by industrial action from March 27th to March 30th, threatening travel disruption for holidaymakers in the run-up to Easter.
“I want to see a resolution of this as quickly as possible,” the prime minister said in a joint press conference with French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday lunchtime.
“It’s my view essential the parties continue to talk, even at this 11th hour. I remind them of the danger to the British economy of disruptive strikes going ahead.”
His comments followed shadow chief secretary of the Treasury Philip Hammond’s criticisms that the government was “looking the other way”.
“Maybe it’s because Gordon Brown’s spin doctor is channelling millions from the striking union into Labour’s election coffers,” he said.
“Once again, the prime minister is putting his own narrow political interests of above those of the British people.”
Mr Brown’s call for a resolution came just hours after his official spokesperson said he would not want to comment on individual strikes.
Mr Hammond had been responding to her comments at the morning lobby briefing. “The prime minister would not want to comment on individual strikes,” she said.
“We hope a negotiated settlement is reached so that people do not have to go on strike. The prime minister has good relations with all the unions.”
The Tories pointed out that Unite has donated £11 million to Labour in the last three years.
Unite, which represents BA’s cabin crew, had pledged not to strike over the Easter break as it continues to resist a pay freeze and staff cuts on long-haul flights.
Ken McCluskey of Unite told journalists this morning that an offer by BA did not meet with the approval of union officials.
But a consultative ballot will take place to ascertain the views of cabin crew members, with results due by middle of next week. If the ballot backs the offer, all strikes will be cancelled.
“We are unable to recommend the offer and are therefore also setting strike dates in accordance with the mandate the union has twice overwhelmingly secured from our members,” Ken McCluskey of Unite said earlier.
Unite’s proposed £63 million cost-cutting package of proposals had been turned down by BA.
