Unite cabin crew branch considers new peace offer from British Airways

Talks between the Unite trade union and British Airways have produced new proposals that could end a long-running industrial dispute involving the airline's cabin crew workforce.

Willie Walsh, BA's chief executive, and Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, held discussions last week under the auspices of the Acas conciliation service in an attempt to break the deadlock. According to Unite's main cabin crew branch, Bassa, the talks have resulted in the outlines of a new peace offer.

"We do now have details of the offer and also a reasonable understanding of its detail; as you would expect, it contains both good and bad," said Bassa in an email to members. "Some points have legal implications and so require additional legal opinion; we need to secure that as quickly as possible. We must all carefully decide our next step."

Bassa was noncommittal about the offer, adding that it was still considering a "formal response", but said the proposals would be considered by shop stewards and ultimately by members. The email stated: "Any – and all – decisions taken, will be yours."

A British Airways spokesman said: "We don't give a running commentary on the status of the Acas process."

The dispute between Unite and BA erupted last year after the airline reduced crewing levels on flights, following a voluntary redundancy programme. A subsequent strike vote saw Unite, which represents about 10,000 BA cabin crew, call 12 days of strikes last Christmas but the walkouts were blocked in the high court. Further ballots and the failure to reach an agreement saw a total of 22 days of strikes go ahead this year.

The dispute over how to achieve cost cuts in BA's cabin crew budget has been complicated by a row over sanctions imposed on flight attendants who participated in the strikes. Staff who took part in the walkouts have been barred from using BA's discounted fares scheme. BA has offered to reinstate staff travel perks but without the seniority clauses that give long-serving cabin crew priority over junior colleagues. Unite has demanded the scheme be reinstated in full, while BA has warned that the discounted tickets are for employees who "show loyalty" to the airline.

Bassa has threatened to stage walkouts over the Christmas period but BA has insisted it will run 100% of its long-haul services during a strike, including all long-haul and short-haul flights from Gatwick and City airports.

Earlier this month Walsh said warnings of further walkouts had not damaged bookings. "It has failed. Our traffic stats show that people are continuing to fly with us."

He added that Unite risked a public backlash if it considered action over Christmas. "If they were to get a mandate the public reaction would be pretty much the same as it was last Christmas. Our plans are robust and we know that we can operate a full long-haul programme."