'Limited' optimism for early end to BA strike dispute

Tuesday, 29 July 2003 12:00 AM

British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington had said he held "constructive" discussions with union leaders yesterday, and was closer to resolving the so-called "swipe card" dispute.

He said the meetings with unions had been conducted in a "very sensible and constructive manner."

"I think we both committed to ensure that we find a sensible, negotiated solution to this problem," he said.

Paul Talbot, assistant general secretary of union Amicus, concurred.

Talks with Mr Rod Eddington had been "very constructive, were very positive."

He said it was "unlikely" that industrial action was imminent at Heathrow. "We have come some way from where we were last week. As I say I think it is a result of the discussions that have taken place today."

BA check-in staff walked out at Heathrow from July 18 in a dispute over a new swipe-card system for clocking on and off.

Some staff fear BA will use the data to lay workers off during quiet periods and adopt more flexible work patterns to save cash.

Mr Eddington estimated the unofficial strike had cost BA about 50 million pounds.

But Sir Bill Morris, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) said last night his optimism in finding a quick end to the dispute was "limited."

"Tomorrow we start anew and hopefully we start from a common position. The company has signalled its readiness to listen a little bit more and we hope by the end of the week we can get a little more progress."

Should a "common position" be secured with BA, Sir Bill said the chance of a positive result would be "higher than 50-50."

The T&G, which alongside the GMB and Amicus are the three unions representing the disgruntled check-in-staff, said it was considering balloting members in a separate dispute over restructuring plans with Swissport, an employer of baggage handlers and other ground staff at Heathrow.

Swissport also provides services for Aer Lingus, Swissair and Malaysian Airways.

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