United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
BA and pilots agree to conciliation
British Airways and the British Air Line Pilots Association have agreed to refer issues relating to the launch of the OpenSkies subsidiary to a conciliation process with an independent third party.
The decision was reached at what was described as a “positive” meeting between BA and BALPA at the airline’s headquarters near Heathrow.
Both sides expressed their strong desire to achieve a peaceful outcome, according to a joint statement.
This came after an overwhelming majority of BA members of BALPA voted in favour of strike action (see previous TravelMole story).
The union’s general secretary Jim McAuslan said: “The ballot result shows the strength of feeling of our members about the implications of the creation of OpenSkies.
“We have no quarrel with the travelling public and have always maintained that these issues could be resolved through negotiation rather than confrontation.”
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “We welcome the progress made today and are confident that a settlement can be achieved through conciliation which will protect our customers from the possibility of disruption.
“We are proud of the professionalism and high reputation of our pilots and have never sought conflict with them.”
by Phil Davies
Related News Stories:
Phil Davies
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled