Leaders of British Airways cabin crew have warned of further strikes after Easter unless there is a breakthrough in a bitter row over cuts which sparked more industrial action this weekend.
Unite and the airline clashed again today over the impact of a four-day walkout, with the company insisting it was flying an increased schedule, with flights full of Easter holidaymakers.
The union claimed six Heathrow flights were loaded with passengers then unloaded because of lack of crew and said many long-haul services were leaving 30% below capacity.
Unite also announced it is seeking legal advice on BA's plans to define crew who are sick as strikers, withdrawing their travel perks as well as the concessions taken away from cabin crew who joined last weekend's walkout.
The strike will end on Tuesday night and Unite has said no further action will be taken before 14 April, giving a window of opportunity for fresh talks.
Disgruntled passengers at Heathrow's Terminal 5 complained about the disruption caused by the strikes, while the union complained that the way BA had treated staff was a ‘disgrace’.
Unite said most BA flights leaving Heathrow Terminal 5 today had been leased from other companies, a claim the company denied.
Unite said it believed BA was grounding its own flights so it could use pilots as cabin crew on other BA flights.
BA said there will be cancellations at Heathrow throughout the four days and for two days after the strike has ended due to aircraft, pilots and cabin crew being out of position.
