British Airways staff at Heathrow airport. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA
British Airways cabin crew are on the brink of strike action after the airline signalled its readiness for a lengthy walkout by lining up 1,000 volunteer flight attendants and a fleet of chartered jets to maintain services during industrial action.
Willie Walsh, the chief executive, told staff yesterday that BA was "as prepared as we can be" for a strike that could come as soon as next week if peace talks with the Unite trade union break down. Representatives at Bassa, Unite's cabin crew branch, will discuss strike dates and lengths today after a source close to the talks described hopes for a settlement as a "flickering flame". According to an online Bassa poll, nearly a third of cabin crew want a walkout lasting more than 10 days.
