THE beginning of this week marked another milestone in the long running dispute between British Airways management and cabin crew staff.  For on Monday, workers were again being balloted for possible industrial action. 

At moment the result is too early to call – all will be revealed after voting closes in late February.  However, some are predicting that any strike could start as the beginning of March.

Solidarity Trade Union will not be surprised if the strike goes ahead.  It should be remembered that the vote for a 12-day Christmas strike was supported by a stunning 90% of workers.  It was only halted because of a High Court ruling.

The same conditions that fuelled the last strike ballot are still in evidence.  Cabin crew remain very angry over job cuts, pay cuts, the ripping up of working agreements and Chief Executive Willie Walsh’s Macho-style of management.

Indeed, British Airways seem intent on provoking a strike.  For last week, Bill Francis - BA's head of cabin crew – threatened that any cabin crew taking part in the mooted industrial action could lose travel perks.

Additionally, BA management have said that they would cover in-flight staff with ground crew during any strike.  Apparently it has started rushing pilots, engineers and baggage handlers through a three-week training course to allow them to take over the duties of flight attendants in the event of a strike.

Cabin crew staff  have claimed that this would put passengers' lives at risk - experienced cabin crew undergo three months' training.

Things are looking bleak for British Airways.  The airline lost £400m in profits last year due to a fall in demand for travel.  Continued talk of strike action will not help them regain public confidence. 

Let’s hope that BA supremo Willie Walsh will come to his senses – and soon.  He should drop the macho-posturing and get down to serious talks with the unions.  They should thrash out their differences through negotiation.  They can then plot the way forward for British Airways.