Judge bans BA strike

The High Court has ruled that a series of five-day strikes planned by British Airways cabin crew is illegal, although Unite, the union behind the planned walkouts, is launching an appeal.Union members were told last night they must turn up for work as normal today, but its leaders called the decision "an absolute disgrace".BA managed to get the industrial action stopped on a technicality as Unite had failed to tell members about spoilt ballot papers.Mr Justice McCombe said late Monday: "I am unable to say it is sufficiently clear that the union took the steps required by law at the time they were required."Travellers will still face disruption though as the court ruling came too late to reinstate a full schedule of flights. About half of short-haul flights and nearly a third of long-haul from Heathrow are affected.Workers had been due to stay away between May 18 and 22, May 24 and 28, May 30 and June 3 and June 5-9. If the appeal is successful, action could begin later this month.But Unite has said it will ballot members for a third time if judges refuse to overturn their decision.BA's refusal to reinstate travel perks for strikers and action taken against some of those who've walked out previously, appear to be the main stumbling blocks preventing an end to the dispute. Bay Capital