British Airways crews in fresh plans for 48-hour strike next week
Crew members had called off a walkout planned for Christmas Day and Boxing Day but have now rejected a pay offer from the airline.
Tuesday 3 January 2017 21:01, UK
British Airways cabin crew plan to stage a 48-hour strike after rejecting an offer aimed at resolving a pay dispute.
Members of Unite are to walk out on 10 January.
Cabin crew had been due to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but the action was suspended after talks at conciliation service Acas.
However, Unite said members had rejected BA's latest offer by 7-1.
The dispute centres on so-called "mixed fleet" cabin crew members who joined BA in recent years.
Unite has described pay rates for some staff as "indefensible".
The union said the latest planned strike action came after BA had refused to allow the mandate of the strike ballot to be extended to "allow meaningful talks to take place".
National officer Oliver Richardson said the airline was "needlessly provoking" the action.
He added: "Instead of listening to why its 'mixed fleet' cabin crew rejected the offer negotiated at Acas, British Airways has sought instead to try and bully a workforce of young men and women who are trying to eke out a living on poverty pay."
The union "remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement which meets our members' aspirations can be achieved".
BA said it will ensure all customers get to their destinations and will publish more details for customers on Friday once contingency plans have been finalised.
It said the group of workers at the centre of the dispute represented 15% of cabin crew.
A spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed that Unite has once again chosen to target our customers.
"We are now focused on protecting our customers from this unnecessary and completely unjustified action."