British Airways launch new strike

The Union said the 12 days of strikes since last March had now cost British Airways 84 million pounds with losses of a further 70 million pounds if the next industrial action is not averted.

BA has been spared the worst,however,as fewer people than usual have chosen to take a foreign break this bank holiday weekend.

A record number of Britons have spent the Whitsun bank holiday at home. Monday is a bank holiday.

BA,however,said it would increase its flying schedule in the coming week as more cabinet crew than expected had decided to work as normal during the industrial action.

It8217;s Heathrow long-haul schedule will be increased to more than 70 per cent of flights 8211; up from around 60 per cent this week 8211; and its short-haul schedule from the airport to more than 55 per cent of flights 8211; up from more than 50 per cent

this week.

Talks between the airline and the Unite union ended without agreement on Friday 8211; the staff perks and disciplinary action still the sticking points.

Unite accused BA8217;s chief executive Willie Walsh of blocking a deal.

Derek Simpson,the Unite8217;s joint leader,was ready to hold talks in the 8220;full glare8221; of the media so people would be able to see how 8220;unreasonable8221; Walsh was.

8220;I prefer these negotiations to be in front of a camera. Let the world see what this is all about. If people could see what he is doing,they would know who to blame,8221; he told BBC television.