British Airways has won a High Court injunction to stop the latest strikes by its cabin staff.

The decision was based on a technicality and whether the Unite union followed rules in contacting its members with strike result details.

BA said it was delighted that the “extreme and unjustified” strike could not go ahead.

BA boss Willie Walsh said the strike action had been “unjustified” and he hoped the injunction would now give those involved in the dispute time to pause and reflect on the issues.

Unite joint leader Tony Woodley said “irrespective of how many technicalities the company found” it would not stop the union balloting its members again.

He added: “Its implication is that it is now all but impossible to take legally protected strike action against any employer who wishes to seek an injunction on even the most trivial grounds.

“Because of the far-reaching consequences of this injunction for all trade unions and indeed for our democracy, we are seeking leave to appeal immediately.”

“This is not a victory for the travelling public, it’s a victory for greedy fat-cat bosses.
Striking (whatever the reason) is a basic human right that men and women have died to achieve. If the courts are genuinely keen to see every tiny ballot rule adhered to, perhaps they should insist on calling another General Election.
Remember the hundreds of people queuing and not able to vote at 10 o’clock on May 6th?”