BA boss Walsh wants to break union, say 95 academics

BA's Willie Walsh arrives at the TUC - he rejects claims he is a union-breaker

Ninety-five employment relations experts have accused British Airways boss Willie Walsh of union-busting.

In a letter to the Guardian, the academics say they can find no other reason for his stance in the industrial dispute with the Unite union.

BA cabin crew are due to begin a second round of strikes - a four-day stoppage - at midnight over proposed changes to their pay and conditions.

BA rejects the academics' claim, adding it has been in talks for months.

The academics come from a range of universities from the UK and elsewhere, including the London School of Economics and Warwick University.

The letter states the signatories have expertise in analysing the causes of industrial disputes and the dynamics of strike action.

"It is clear to us that the actions of the chief executive... are explicable only by the desire to break the union which represents the cabin crew."

It says that a victory for the company would bring "unilateral management prerogative" and an erosion of worker rights and democracy.

In a statement, BA set out several specific rebuttals of the charges.

The airline asked why, if strike-breaking was the aim, it had involved the TUC and the conciliation service Acas to try to reach a negotiated settlement with the union in the dispute with cabin crew.

Renewed strike

It also pointed out that Mr Walsh himself had spent three days at the TUC talking with union representatives.

BA is loss-making and facing stiff competition from other airlines and needs to cut costs.

Cabin crew, represented by the Unite union, held a three-day strike last weekend over proposed changes to pay and working conditions. They are preparing for a further four-day strike, set to begin at midnight.

They have repeatedly called for further talks with BA, and have offered their own programme of cost-reductions.

The dispute has become increasingly fractious, with the union calling BA "bullying and contemptuous" towards its employees.

British Airways said it has lost at least £21m because of the action.