There has been a new agreement found between British Airways and cabin crew union Unite to settle the long running fight between the two.  This stops strikes set to begin again at least until after the union itself votes to accept the deal.  Union leaders are recommending agreement.

The breakthrough essentially comes as a result of British Airways agreeing to restoring full seniority perks it withdrew during the conflict.  New BA CEO, Keith Williams and former Unite negotiator and now leader, Len McCluskey are receiving credit for the new agreement.

I’ve got three thoughts on this:  First, Willie Walsh (now CEO of International Airlines Group, holding company of BA) should have made this deal last year.  It cost nothing and it was fairly punitive.  Second, if you think that Keith Williams did this without OK from Willie Walsh, you’re just kidding yourself and that makes the fact that this has gone on as long as it has somewhat silly.  Finally, this isn’t over until it’s over.  The union has a history of militant behaviour in this conflict and despite the leadership recommending acceptance, I wouldn’t count this as done until it does win an approval vote.  Furthermore, even if it does win approval, I’ll wager that it will be by slim margins at best. 

Once done, the airline and the union need to restore not just peace but harmony and take a long look at how this is avoided in the future.  That’s a tall task but necessary in this economic climate that airlines operate in.

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