British Air, union to hold talks over planned cabin crew strike

(Updates to add British Airways comment)

LONDON, Dec (Shanghai: 600875.SS - news) 18 (Reuters) - Talks aimed at averting a planned Christmas strike by British Airways cabin crews will be held on Monday, conciliation service Acas said.

Last week, British Airways said the Unite trade union had called a strike involving one of its five cabin crew fleets on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Dec. 26.

More than 2,500 Unite members who serve as crews on long- and short-haul routes to dozens of destinations could eventually walk out. The union said last week that cabin crews had voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay.

"BA and Unite have accepted our invitation to attend conciliation talks in respect of the cabin crew dispute tomorrow morning," a spokeswoman for Acas said.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey welcomed the talks.

"It is only by getting round the table that we can find a solution to my members' concerns," he said in a statement.

"Unite will work tirelessly to defend them, to get this dispute solved and to win them the fair and decent treatment these workers deserve."

A spokeswoman for British Airways said, "We are pleased that Unite is willing to meet us at Acas. We remain focused on resolving this as quickly as possible for our customers." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Jane Merriman and Jeffrey Benkoe)