The union representing British Airways cabin crew, Unite, has threatened to increase the intensity of their dispute with the airline.

Earlier this year, BA cabin crew went on strike for a total of 22 days costing the airline approximately £150m. Although facing tremendous losses as well as having to cancel hundreds of flights, BA tried to make the best of a bad situation by bringing in employees from other parts of the company to take over cabin crew duties.

Unite has now warned that any further strike action would include any ground staff currently working for BA, including check-in workers and baggage handlers. Introducing these members of BA staff to strike action could potentially be catastrophic to the company.

The union needs to accept that conditions in the post recession industry are such that the airline simply cannot sustain the level of reward its members have become accustomed to. For example, salaries as a percentage of sales for British Airways are 26% compared to 14% at Virgin and 10% at Ryanair. Without a plausible alternative, the board have to cut staff, remuneration and perks if the airline is to survive.

To see how British Airways compares to other Airlines click here and read the following analysis on the Global Airlines