Breaking news reports claim that British Airways’ cabin crew will strike just in time for the busy Christmas travel period.

The cabin crew voted today (Monday, Dec. 14) to strike over the week of Christmas, which could be potentially devastating to thousands of passengers and the airline. The 12-day strike will start on Dec. 22 in London’s Heathrow airport.

In a message from BA’s chief executive Willie Walsh, “Let me say immediately we will do everything we can to assist you at what will clearly be a very difficult time if strikes go ahead. We are working hard on contingency plans, and will announce them as soon as they are finalised.”

As per the British Airways strike update the members of Unite, the cabin crew union, still has not changed their mind about the strike yet the leaders of the union will meet Willie Welsh, for an ‘unconditional’ discussion. Official sources of Unite stated that their general secretaries, Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley will represent the union in the meeting. The meeting has a great significance for the union as well as the company and they are hopeful about a positive turn out of this meeting.

British Airways and the unions have clashed in recent months over restructuring plans and added workloads. As a result, 92.5% of the union’s members voted to go on strike until an agreement can be made between the union and the airline.

British Airways recently announced it would cut jobs and freeze pay by March 31, 2010. The airline currently employs 13,500 cabin crew, (11,500 work at Heathrow).