Union branches refuse to back BA cabin crew deal

British Airways has been dealt a blow in its attempt to end a damaging industrial dispute with cabin crew after two branches of a trade union refused to recommend a peace deal. The airline had asked Unite to recommend the offer as a precondition for tabling it to members, but both its cabin crew branches have refused to do so. Bassa, Unite's main cabin crew branch, issued a statement yesterday describing parts of the offer as a "step too far". The peace offer includes use of the Acas conciliation service for the 16 crew who have been dismissed during the year-long dispute, but some elements of the offer have caused concern for shop stewards, such as BA's request that all legal action relating to the dispute is dropped. Bassa said: "There are some good parts within BA's offer, in particular their acceptance of binding independent Acas arbitration, but there are many other clauses which we simply, as a trade union, cannot recommend." Bassa, which represents about 10,000 crew, added that it still intended to go ahead with a consultative ballot on the offer. Its sister branch, Cabin Crew 89, also rejected the offer. If the deal is rejected in a consultative ballot, Bassa and Cabin Crew 89 are expected to push for a strike vote. A BA spokesman said: "The company continues to deal directly with the union Unite. It is Unite who will ballot their members not Bassa or Amicus – which are sections within the union. "Unite has already stated its position clearly, with quotes from the general secretary, Tony Woodley, and assistant general secretary, Len McCluskey. This remains unchanged." The union is still preparing to recommend the offer in a consultative ballot that could launch as soon as this week. In a letter to cabin crew, Unite and its "representatives" state that they are, technically, recommending the deal as requested by BA, because it is the best that can be produced by negotiation currently. However, Unite adds that it will hold a strike ballot if the deal is rejected. BA has pledged to operate all of its long-haul services during any industrial action. Earlier this month BA crew lost their appeal against the cost-cutting proposals that triggered the dispute last year. The court of appeal sided with BA's argument that a unilateral reduction in staffing numbers on long-haul routes did not breach contracts. Three judges said an agreement between crew and the airline, which outlined higher staffing levels, was intended to be binding only in "honour" although it did include the threat of industrial action if it was breached.