US union backs striking BA workers (From Western Telegraph)

US union backs striking BA workers

3:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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The war of words over the planned stoppage by British Airways cabin crew has crossed the Atlantic as it emerged a major US union has pledged to support the strikers.

Unite officials will meet representatives of the American Teamsters union in Washington DC on Wednesday, a spokesman for the US union said.

A BA spokesman said it was sad to see the union attempt to get overseas backing for "unjustified strikes against an iconic British brand".

A Teamsters spokesman said: "The Teamsters are an active member of the International Transport Workers Federation. ITF affiliates around the world are mobilising to support British Airways workers in their fight for passenger safety and worker respect."

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers also criticised the US meeting and said Unite were "hell-bent" on causing maximum disruption for travellers.

She said: "Unite should not be striking at all and trying to spread the dispute to other countries is even more irresponsible."

A Unite spokesman said: "Unite have had a large number of inquiries from trade unions around the world, offering support to cabin crew."

The Conservatives also turned their fire on the Prime Minister, whom they accused of being "in hock" to trade union backers.

With a three-day strike set to go ahead from Saturday, it emerged UK tourists risked being stranded on a Caribbean island after BA cancelled their only weekly flight home.

The flight from Turks and Caicos to London has been axed on Sunday due to the strike, with the Sunday March 28 service also at risk if the planned second wave of strikes goes ahead.