BA workers stage mass rally to protest at cuts

BRITISH Airways cabin crew have vented their anger over the company's plans to cut jobs, pay and conditions, as the threat of a strike just days before Christmas came a step closer.

More than 2,500 members of Unite travelled from across the world to Sandown Park racecourse in Surrey, to attend a mass meeting which backed calls for industrial action.

Workers spoke of their "anger and frustration" at the planned imposition of new employment contracts from 16 November on top of thousands of job cuts and a pay freeze.

Unite will launch a ballot of more than 13,000 workers next week, with the result due on 14 December, raising the threat of a strike from 21 December.

BA said in a statement: "We have put together a package of changes, which, despite the unprecedented financial circumstances facing the company, not only protects current cabin crew but also offers many new benefits."