Another Strike on the Horizon for British Airways

As if the ash clouds weren’t bad enough…

PARIS — A union representing 13,500 British Airways cabin crew members voted Monday to hold a further 20 days of strikes beginning later this month, part of a protest of cost-cutting plans that include a wage freeze and a reduction of in-flight staffing.

The union, Unite, said the latest work action — the third against the airline this year — would take place in stages, with the first four-day walkout scheduled to begin May 18. That would be followed by a second wave from May 24 to 28, inclusive, and subsequent strikes from May 30 to June 3 and June 5 to 9, the union said in a statement.

In a ballot last week, 81 percent of members rejected the latest proposal by British Airways management, which union leaders acknowledged was an improvement over previous offers. The airline’s offer, however, did not include the restoration of travel perks that management revoked for employees who participated in seven days of walkouts in March…

I’m not sympathetic, especially during this economic downturn:

…British Airways cabin crew members are among the highest paid in Britain, earning twice as much, for example, as their counterparts at Virgin Atlantic. Long-haul cabin staff members earn £35,000 to £56,000 a year, depending on rank and experience, while short-haul salaries range from £18,000 to £52,000.

Times are tough for many. The way BA’s numbers have looked lately, the cabin crews should be thankful they still have jobs.