British Airways crew extends wage strike

By Ilker Girit

ISTANBUL (AA) - British Airways cabin crew have extended their industrial action by 14 days, the Unite trades’ union said Thursday.

Unite members of the airline’s “mixed fleet crew”, which includes short- and long-haul staff, began striking on July 1 in an action due to end on July 16. The union announced another 14-day strike from July 19.

“Today’s announcement of a further escalation underlines the determination of our members in their fight for better pay and against British Airways’ bullying behaviour,” Unite National Officer Oliver Richardson said in a statement.

The staff are protesting low wages and measures taken against striking workers, according to the union.

“We are seeing strong support for the ongoing strike action,” Richardson said.

In a message on its website, British Airways said it would operate 99.5 percent of scheduled flights and merge a “very small number” of long-haul services to and from London’s Heathrow Airport.