British Airways strike cancelled by court

Many travellers will breathe a sigh of relief this week as British Airways have managed to get a High Court order that will prevent cabin crew from staging a strike over the busy Christmas period.

Thousands of holidaymakers went into meltdown at the beginning of this week when news spread that cabin crew for the airline had voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over the Christmas holidays. The action would have devastated the airline that were quick to reassure passengers last month that a strike would not happen and they did not have to make alternative travel arrangements.

Up to 12,500 staff from British Airways were at Sandown Racecourse last week to discuss what possible consequences a strike would have on the airline and then voted in favour of a strike. The airline straight away lodged an appeal with the High Court in London to get an injunction to stop the 12 day walk out. The High Court backed BA saying that the ballot was technically illegal because it involved some workers who had already left the company through voluntary redundancy and others who were in the process of leaving.

The 12 day walk out could have caused chaos for so many passengers as the airlines handle around 90,000 people per day on 650 flights. Some of the crew that voted on the strike were said to be having second thoughts about the actions after a public outcry. Whatever the reasons it is sure to make many of us who are flying with the carrier feel a lot better about our travel arrangements.