BA strike could provide further boost for ferry travel

Ferry companies could once again come to the rescue of travellers over the coming month as a result of a strike by British Airways' (BA) cabin crew staff.

The Unite trade union announced that its members had voted to take a further 20 days of industrial action over an ongoing dispute with the airline relating to pay and working conditions.

Walkouts are set to take place on the following dates: May 18th-22nd, May 24th-28th, May 30th-June 3rd and June 5th-9th.

The timing of the strikes means that families planning holidays during the May half-term period will be affected.

Unite's joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley claimed that BA's cabin crew had "no choice but to take further strike action" after the airline made an offer that was turned down and rejected an approach by the union over the weekend.

BA criticised Unite for making a decision that "has no semblance of justification" and calling a strike that will cause "extensive disruption for potentially hundreds of thousands of … customers".

Alternative travel options for people who will not be able to fly to destinations in Europe include Stena Line's ferries from Harwich to Hook of Holland and the Dover to Calais ferry route, which is served by P&O Ferries and SeaFrance.

Posted by Andrew Smith