British Airways cabin crew who cancelled a strike due to take place over the Christmas holiday weekend have now voted to walk out for 48 hours, starting on January 10.

In a war of words, Unite union official Oliver Richardson said: “British Airways is needlessly provoking strike action by refusing to extend the mandate of the strike ballot and allow meaningful talks to take place. Instead of listening to why its ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew rejected the offer negotiated at Acas, British Airways has sought instead to try and bully a workforce of young men and women who are trying to eke out a living on poverty pay.”

The airline retaliated by saying the cabin crew had chosen to target BA’s customers. “We will plan to ensure that all our customers travel to their destinations,” he said. “Mixed fleet Unite represents only 15 percent of our cabin crew.”

The airline said its contingency plans will be made known on Friday, January 6.

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