strike for a major Bermudian air carrier has been resolved.

The announcement came from British Airways and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) yesterday.

The agreement, which comes into effect immediately, has secured the 42 million savings needed from the cabin crew budget toward the 1 billion a year British Airways aims to save across the company by the year 2000 as part of its business efficiency programme. It also paves the way for a new relationship between the airline and the unions representing its cabin crew. British Airways chief executive Bob Ayling said: "Today's agreement signals a genuinely new beginning for relations and spirit of co-operation inside the company.'' To reflect this new spirit, the airline has lifted the sanctions imposed on the 300 cabin crew who went on strike and returned office facilities at Heathrow and Gatwick to the union. "It safeguards our plans for growth and new jobs and will help keep the airline at the forefront of what is now a ferociously competitive global industry, in the interests of all our customers, employees and shareholders,'' added Mr. Ayling.

And Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) general secretary Bill Morris noted: "I welcome the resolution of this difficult dispute. The settlement reached is evidence of the T&G's commitment both to British Airways competitive success and to the interests of our members.'' UNIONS UNS