Britain’s Unite union says it’s in talks with Teamsters over BA strike

UK union in talks with Teamsters over BA strike

LONDON — Britain’s Unite union said Tuesday that it was in talks with the U.S. International Brotherhood of Teamsters regarding the seven days of strikes it plans against British Airways.

Unite’s 12,000 cabin crew members are locked in a battle with BA’s management over a pay freeze and changes to working conditions. The group has promised a three-day strike beginning Saturday followed later by a four-day walk out. The strike is expected to affect hundreds of thousands of travelers — and Unite has appealed for international help to pressure BA.

Spokesman Andrew Murray said a union official was in Washington to brief officials from the Teamsters on Wednesday, but gave few details.

Murray said the official was “explaining the background to the dispute at the request of American trade unionists.” He declined to identify the official, saying the union was “not wanting to draw huge attention to all this at the moment.”

It wasn’t immediately clear what kind of help the Teamsters, who represent 40,000 workers in the aviation industry, would provide, if any. In a statement, they said: “We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at Unite who are fighting for a fair contract at British Airways” and declined further comment.

BA condemned Unite’s talks, saying it was “seeking backing from trade unions overseas to support its unjustified strikes.” Britain’s right-leaning Conservative Party also chimed in, accusing Unite of “pulling out all the stops to frustrate the efforts BA is making to keep their passengers flying.”

The planned strike, which comes in the run-up to the busy Easter holidays, has already made its effect felt, albeit in a small way. BA said Tuesday it had axed its only weekly flight from the Caribbean Turks and Caicos islands this weekend.

The airline has promised to keep 60 percent of its passengers moving during the early stage of the strike, although that plan could be frustrated if foreign unions join Unite in its campaign.

Associated Press Writer Sam Hananel in Washington contributed to this report.

(This version CORRECTS that strikes are planned for 3 and 4 days, STED 7 days straight.)