UK, US unions discuss BA strike

LONDON (AP) - The union representing striking British Airways cabin crew will hold talks with a fellow U.S. union in Washington D.C. on Wednesday in an effort to bring international weight behind its walkout due to begin this weekend.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters have expressed solidarity with the Unite union, but it is unclear if they are prepared to play an active role in the two strikes planned by BA - a three-day walkout from Saturday and a four-day strike scheduled for March 27.

Direct action by aviation workers in the United States - or elsewhere in Europe - could make it impossible to clean, service and refuel planes.

That would have a severe impact on BA's contingency plans to operate around 60 percent of its flights over the strike period.