BA Confirms 12 Day Christmas Strike as Vote Video Leaks
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An embarrassing video has leaked on to YouTube as British Airways confirmed a 12-day strike this Christmas holidays. BA stand to lose up to $500 million as thousands of travelers rebook flights on other airlines.
On the 12th day of Christmas, British Airways said to me.
BA announced that a strike ballot closed in favor of a strike between 22 December 2009 and 2 January 2010. The strike ballot was organized by Unite, the trade union that represents British Airways. 80% of their members cast 10,286 votes with a 92 per cent majority in favor of industrial action.
Despite banning any unofficial filming of the ballot, this video has recently showed up on YouTube. 2,000+ ecstatic strikers celebrate the outcome of the vote, as it confirms an unexpected Christmas holiday.
BA travelers have been flocking online to express their outrage.
If British Airways were to ground all planes for the duration of this strike, it could cost the airline between $325 million and $500 million in revenues. No wonder BA is seeking an injunction based on a legal technicality, claiming that there were irregularities during the vote that should make the strike action illegal.
British Airways shares fell by $0.08 to $318.63 in one hour of trading.
Christmas came early for Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair, Flybe, Lufthansa, Air France and easyJet as they all queued up to land a few million in additional revenue. According to BBC News, passengers have already started rebooking flights in their masses.
If you have something to tell BA or the striking crew, feel free to let fly with a comment below.
UPDATE – STRIKE HALTED BY COURTS
British Airways were handed a lifeline today by the High Court as Mrs Justice Cox granted an injunction to prevent the planned 12-day strike.
Trade Union Unite were found to have broken the rules on balloting by including 1,000 British Airways cabin crew who had already accepted voluntary redundancy from the company.
BA will now be able to continue its winter services over Christmas, saving the company millions of pounds in revenue.
