Court Derails British Airways Strike

Ballot authorizing walkout illegal; holiday job action may not proceed
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 17, 2009 10:26 AM CST
Court Derails British Airways Strike
Len McCluskey, the assistant general secretary for Britain's Unite union, talked to members of the media as he announced the now-scuttled the British Airways cabin crew strike.   (AP Photo)

Britain's High Court has granted British Airways an emergency injunction to stop a 12-day strike by its cabin crew over the Christmas and New Year's break. The court today backed BA's claim that the ballot of around 13,000 workers by the Unite labor union was illegal because it included members no longer employed by the airline.

The ruling will be a relief to around 1 million travelers whose plans were threatened by the walkout, which had been due to start Tuesday. Although Unite must call off the strike, it can hold another ballot—but not until after Christmas. (More British Airways strike stories.)

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