Unite the union is ready to ballot its BA cabin crew members on strike action, with provisions for the vote in the late stages.

A Unite spokesperson said that the ballot would open immediately.

Derek Simpson, Unite’s joint general secretary, said that BA management’s determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative.

BA said it was frustrated by the decision to hold a vote, but emphasized the alterations to staff contracts will proceed as projected from November 16.

BA cabin staff members got together yesterday (November 2) at Sandown Park to talk over the possibility of strike action, at a gathering called by Unite. Unite has also announced plans to establish a legal challenge against BA.

It said that the challenge, in the High Court, is over the imposition of new contracts, including the reduction of crewing levels, which BA said it will force cabin crew to work to from 16 November.

The High Court hearing is currently set for this Thursday.

The cuts backs to the number of cabin crew on each plane have allowed the company to accept a multitude of requests for voluntary redundancy, part-time contracts and staff transfers between different parts of the business, it said.

BA also would like to enforce a two year pay freeze on staff and alter working practices.

This included cutting staff on long hauls flights from 15 to 14, a change the airline intends to impose on November 16.

Unite said the changes could involve substantial contractual changes for continuing employees and introduce a second tier workforce on poorer pay and conditions.