Union makes last-minute offer to suspend BA strike

Source: AP

By JILL LAWLESS

LONDON (AP) - Thousands of British Airways cabin crew looked set to go on strike at midnight after talks between their union and the airline ended in confusion.

But the union made a last-minute offer Sunday to stop the walkout if the airline reinstates travel perks stripped from staff who took place in earlier strikes.

Tony Woodley, joint leader of the Unite union, said his message to BA chief executive Willie Walsh was "Willie, turn round and reinstate our people's travel without the unnecessary vindictive removal of their service and this union will call off tonight's strike."

British Airways' response was cool. In a statement, the airline said it was "disappointed that Tony Woodley has taken to negotiation through the media" rather than mediators.


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