Unite, the union representing the most of British Airways PLC's 13,500 cabin crew, Monday told the airline it plans to initiate a fresh ballot for industrial action in a week's time on a potential strike.

The Unite union, which previously had a controversial strike planned over Christmas which was dismissed by a U. K. court on the technical basis, said that it has not been able to cling a deal with British Airways after "intensive talks" in recent days.

The loss-making carrier seeks to reduce its crew numbers, freeze current salaries, cut 1,000 positions and shift another 3,000 employees to part-time status. The two sides have been disputing BA's plans to introduce these changes to working practices.

In December, BA secured a High Court injunction which prevented the staff from initiating an industrial action, after the union had organized potentially crippling strikes over the Key Christmas period.

However, the two opponents are yet again to face each other in Court on Feb. 1, when it will be decided whether changes BA introduced are a breach of contract.

British Airways revealed it was afflicted but not surprised that Unite has initiated yet another strike ballot and added, "We will not allow Unite to ruin this airline and we believe we have the support of our customers and the vast majority of our staff in that objective".