The confusion surrounding the BA strike looks set to drag on this week, with news that neither British Airways nor the Unite union are working towards a deadline.

It had been widely reported that a decision would be taken over industrial action by tomorrow (8 March), with cabin crew either setting dates for walkouts or lifting the BA strike threat.

But industry magazine TTG is now quoting an inside source as saying that talk of a deadline is premature and that discussions over the BA strike could continue well into this week.

Hopes of a resolution were given a boost on Friday when details emerged of a new cost-saving proposal from Unite that centred on a 3.5 per cent pay cut for cabin crew.

The development had been seen as a significant softening of the union’s tough stance, although BA boss Willie Walsh was always likely to be sceptical of the long-term benefits of its proposal. He has consistently stood by calls for a permanent restructuring of staffing levels on planes.

Commenting on last Friday’s development, a BA insider tentatively voiced optimism by telling The Evening Standard: “There may be some scope for a deal to be done on new crew.”

But with BA now downplaying talk of a Tuesday deadline – something both the flag carrier and Unite had explicitly committed to last week – it appears that passengers will be forced to endure several more days of uncertainty before a final decision is taken over the BA strike.

If the negotiations ultimately prove fruitless, Unite must give BA seven days notice before staging walkouts, meaning that industrial action could begin as early as 16 March.

The union has ruled out targeting the Easter period for BA strike action, but all other dates are up in the air and passengers are being told to expect major disruption. A previous attempt by BA cabin crew to stage strikes over the Christmas and New Year period was blocked by the High Court.

Mr Walsh has warned that if BA strike action goes ahead he will be forced to implement even deeper cuts at the airline, which is forecast to lose up to £600 million this year.

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