Still no word on BA strike dates

Officials from Unite spent the day locked in internal discussions following the breakdown of talks last night aimed at resolving a long running row over cost cutting.

The collapse of negotiations has brought the threat of strikes closer, but the union made no announcements even though time is now running out for launching a campaign of industrial action.

Union members voted massively in favour of strikes last month, and by law Unite has to announce action by next Monday, giving seven days notice of any walkouts.

A planned 12-day stoppage by 12,500 cabin crew over Christmas was halted after a successful legal challenge from BA, and the union has ruled out striking over Easter.

The two sides held talks under the chairmanship of TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, which broke up without agreement on Wednesday night, although channels of communication have remained open.

The cabin crew branch of Unite - Bassa - said it had no wish to cause disruption to BA and its customers and urged the airline's chief executive Willie Walsh to reconsider an offer tabled during this week's talks.

BA maintains it has 1,000 volunteer staff ready to work as cabin crew in the coming weeks if a strike goes ahead.

Unite said later it planned to hold a consultative ballot among thousands of BA ground services staff, including baggage handlers, over new contracts.

If union members voted in favour, there would then be an industrial action ballot, although this is weeks away.