British Airways: to Strike or not to Strike

British Airways cabin crew will vote again on possible strike action, the Unite union has announced.

Photo: British Airways: to Strike or not to Strike

Unite said a fresh ballot of its members will be held after recent talks with BA failed to find a resolution to a long-running dispute.

BA said it was "saddened but not surprised" by the decision, but vowed to continue talks.

A strike planned for Christmas last year was blocked after a court granted an injunction, declaring it illegal.

Unite is in a dispute with BA over changes to cabin crew staffing levels and working conditions.

Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, said that "intensive discussions" with the company had failed to secure an agreement.

"We therefore have to honour our commitment to give our members the voice they were denied by the courts before Christmas, and hold a fresh ballot for industrial action," he said.

Cabin crew voted overwhelmingly for strike action in the previous ballot, leading to the announcement of a 12-day strike over the Christmas period.

BA had complained that staff in the process of leaving the company had been balloted, breaching industrial relations law.

Unite said the ballot would begin in a week's time, allowing strike action to begin as early as March.

It is not certain that cabin crew will vote in favour of a strike for a second time.

Following the previous ballot, some union members expressed alarm at the length and timing of the strike - details they said they had not been made aware of before voting.

BA announced plans to cut the number of cabin crew on long-haul flights last year as a cost-cutting measure following huge losses at the airline.

Unite complained that it was not consulted on the move, which it said involved changes to staff contracts.

The airline ruled out backing down in the dispute.

BBC News has contributed to the report.