UNITE last night said there was little hope of a breakthrough in its bitter cabin crew dispute with British Airways, despite agreeing to postpone a strike ballot.
The union said there was “nil” chance that it would recommend the latest offer from the airline to its members.
Tony Woodley, Unite joint leader, said the failure of BA to reinstate staff travel arrangements, which include the chance to buy discounted flights, to crew who took part in strike action, meant that any deal was “uncertain”.
BA made the new offer on Friday, which includes two years of guaranteed rises in basic salary from February, 2011.
A spokesman for the airline said it welcomed Unite’s decision to delay the strike ballot.
He added: “We believe our offer is fair and reasonable and provides a genuine opportunity to end this dispute.”
Unite had been due to hold a ballot starting next Tuesday unless there was a breakthrough in the dispute, which has seen 22 days of strike action since March and cost BA around £150m.
