The ITF organises civil aviation unions in 120 countries and it has already declared the BA dispute a Strategic Priority - which is a first for a national aviation dispute. The union is also in a separate dispute with the airline over the contracting out of its catering operation. Staff there have also voted to strike. It forms part of the company s aim to save 1 billion by the year 2000. The dispute is also a potentially embarrassing one for the Government - for several reasons.
Ministers are keen to keep the unions at arms length.
And there is a personal link as BA boss Bob Ayling is a friend of Prime Minister Blair and other senior Labour figures. Ayling the airline s Chief Executive, accused the union of confrontational behaviour of the worst kind in ratifying the strike. He urged a more reasoned approach by the union so that the dispute could be resolved. Back in May the airline issued a press release stating that British Airways does not believe there will be support for a strike . They urged staff to vote no.