An announcement has been made today (Friday), that British Airways cabin crew will go on strike for 7 days later this month. The Unite trade union said that in the disagreement about working conditions that has been going on for months, they have rejected the most recent pay offer.

Over Christmas a substantial strike was only just avoided when a court ruled the strike ballot was invalid. The union then held another ballot for its 30,000 members, who voted considerably in favour of a strike.

The dates due for strike action are March 20 for 3 days and then on March 27 for another 4 days. After the most recent concessions by cabin crew, Unite said it had given the airline “a remarkable offer”. However BA turned the proposals down. Yesterday BA proposed its own offer which the Union said they could not recommend, hence the new strike dates.

Today Unite have accused the management of BA of “industrial dictatorship”, whereas BA say it is disappointed with the decision made by cabin crew to strike saying it had “not a shred of justification”. The latest dates for strike action could still be averted as union members have been balloted even though the Union does not recommend BA’s offer. The results of the ballot are due next week.

For more on this story go to marketwatch.com. Do you agree with BA’s stance on the proposals, or are you in support of the cabin crew and strike action? Will they be damaging their own job prospects as the reputation and fortunes of BA will surely suffer if the strikes go ahead?