British Airways staff to stage six further days of strikes, Unite announces

British Airways workers are set to stage a further six days of strikes in February over a pay dispute.

Unite the union announced the walk-out, which follows three days of similar strikes by cabin crew last week.

Members of Unite now plan to strike on February 5, 6 and 7, as well as for three days from February 9.

The union is in dispute over members of BA's so-called mixed fleet, who joined the airline after 2010 and are on worse pay rates than other staff, Unite says.

Strikes on January 19, 20 and 21 also followed a 48-hour walk-out on January 10 and 11.

Only a small number of flights had to be cancelled during the industrial action last week.

A letter from the union to BA said: "Your reluctance to offer a reasonable pay deal to our members, yet spend what we believe is now reaching millions of pounds in trying to quash strike action, suggests money is available and this is a question of ideology.

"We urge you to recognise that there is a chance here for British Airways to take a different route."

A BA spokesperson insisted that all customers would still be able to reach their destinations during the strikes.

"We have flown all customers to their destinations during the previous strikes by Mixed Fleet Unite and we will ensure this happens again," the spokesperson said.

What is the BA cabin crew strike action all about?

• The row is about pay received by the mixed fleet cabin crew who have joined the company since 2010.

• Unite says earnings for its members were advertised between £21,000 and £25,000, but in reality started at just over £12,000 - plus £3-an-hour flying pay.

• A Unite survey found that half of its Mixed Fleet members had taken on second jobs, while 84% said they had experienced stress and depression since joining BA.