LONDON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Up to 14,000 British Airways cabin crew are to vote on whether to take industrial action in a dispute over changes to their contracts, their union said on Monday.
Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, Britain's biggest union, said he was prepared to hold talks with the airline although he would support members if they voted for action.
"BA management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," Simpson said in a statement. "Negotiation, not imposition, is the only proper way to conduct industrial relations."
BA said earlier this month that it would cut the equivalent of 1,700 staff in Britain and is planning a two-year freeze on basic pay for cabin crew.
The union said the plans would involve significant contractual changes for remaining employees and introduce "a second tier work force on poorer pay and conditions". (Reporting by Peter Griffiths; Editing by Greg Mahlich)