BA talks end without agreement

Talks between British Airways and the Unite union to avert continuing strike action by cabin crew workers have ended without agreement.

The meeting took place as the current industrial action continued on its fifth and final day, with a second five-day strike to start on Sunday.

Conciliation service Acas said talks had been adjourned and it would now try to arrange futher negotiations.

The two sides are locked in a row over pay, staff levels and work conditions.

Unite also wants the travel perks of striking workers to be reinstated and disciplinary action against others to be cancelled.

Unite says 121 flights out of 333 scheduled to leave Heathrow on Friday have been cancelled.

However, BA says it is flying 70% of passengers.

A third five-day strike is due to start on 5 June.

Unite has said it will call off the industrial action if the airline restores travel concessions to staff who previously went on strike.

Joint general secretary, Derek Simpson said this would not cost the airline anything, and accused BA chief executive Willie Walsh of "blocking a deal".