Union loses legal battle with BA

[February 19, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- British Airways cabin crew have lost a legal battle to overturn changes to pay and working conditions that sparked an acrimonious dispute.

The High Court on Friday declined to grant a permanent injunction that would have scrapped the cost-cutting changes that were imposed in November.

BA argues that the changes -- including a pay freeze this year, a switch to part-time working for some staff and a reduction in cabin crew numbers from 15 to 14 on long-haul flights -- are necessary to counter falling demand because of the global financial crisis.

The Unite union has claimed it was not consulted. Unite had planned a Christmas strike over the issue, but was stopped by a separate High Court action. A new strike ballot on a walkout closes on Monday.

[Associated Press]

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