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New Unite strike ballot based on bullying looms

Tuesday, 8 June 20103 min read

Cabin crew union Unite has been holding discussions over terms for a further strike ballot of British Airways staff which could mean walk-outs in mid-July.

Union joint secretary Derek Simpson has been debating reasons for the next walk-out and it is believed bullying and harassment could be factors.

BA vehemently denies this and yesterday chief executive Willie Walsh branded the latest five-day walk-out which started on Saturday a “failure”.

Speaking at the IATA conference in Berlin he said Unite had failed to ground BA, with more staff than the union had expected coming to work.

He said: “"We flew over 72,000 customers on a day of strike by Unite and, as I say, they have failed. They have failed in their efforts."

A decision on a new strike ballot is expected tomorrow (Wednesday).

By Dinah Hatch