BA talks continue as time runs out

Talks between British Airways and the Unite trade union are continuing today in a last-ditch effort to avert this weekend's strike.Face-to-face talks between the airline's chief executive Willie Walsh and Unite union joint leader Tony Woodley at the TUC headquarters in London broke up just after midnight last night and are expected to resume around 9 a.m. this morning.Cabin crew are due to go on strike for three days from tomorrow and for four days from 27 March.If the walk-out goes ahead, BA promised to keep about two-thirds of its passengers flying. The carrier said on Monday that it will only be able to fly 60% of its passengers during planned strike. On Wednesday it said that it will increase the number of flights after more staff volunteered to work. Unite is in dispute with BA over salaries and working conditions, including the number of staff on long-haul flights. BA has said cost cutting measures are necessary to deal with the extremely difficult conditions facing the air travel sector. Bay Capital