The London Daily News

British Airways are stoking the fires of their bitter dispute with the Unite Union after placing 'cut price' cabin crew job ads.

An advert has been placed for 1,250 Heathrow cabin crew at lower salaries than existing staff.

It marks the start of a major recruitment drive that would see 40% of its cabin crew working under the new, lower salary structure within 10 years.

A spokesman said the new recruits would be paid less than half the salaries currently paid to long-haul crew at Heathrow.

Unite said the advert would do nothing stop the long running pay dispute continuing.

This week the union said it would issue a fresh strike ballot to cripple services over the August holidays.

"Brings us in line with competitors"

"It’s not some wild new departure. They will be on a very similar salary to existing Gatwick staff," said a BA spokesman.

He said under the new contracts Heathrow cabin crew would fly a mixture of short and long-haul flights, rather than choose one or the other.

Adding:

"The move would bring Heathrow costs in line with competitors".

New staff would earn about £13,800, while at Heathrow crew earn up to £35,000 on long-haul flights and £26,000 for short-haul.