British Airways cabin crew have accepted a peace deal to end their long-running conflict with the company.

Unite announced that the 18-month dispute was over after 92% of its members voted to accept an “honourable settlement” offered by BA. 

Just 8% of almost 10,000 union members voted against the move in a turnout of 72%.

The deal ends one of the longest industrial disputes in recent history, with the bitter row threatening flights from UK airports including Stansted and Luton last summer.  

Under the terms of the agreement, travel concessions will be returned to the BA crew who had the facility removed when they went on strike last year, Unite said. 

The union added that agreement had also been reached on a new pay deal, as well as the safeguarding of routes and working arrangements as BA introduces a new fleet of crew.

There will also be a third party binding arbitration process established to consider the cases of crew disciplined by the airline during the dispute.

Len McCluskey, Unite’s general secretary, who drew up the deal with BA’s chief executive Keith Williams, said: “Unite always firmly believed that this dispute would be solved not through conflict but through negotiation. Thankfully we have reached an honourable agreement with BA.

“The overwhelming acceptance of this deal by cabin crew means that both parties can now move forward together on securing a bright future for the airline.”

Copyright © Press Association 2011

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