BA strike still on despite sickies offer.

Byline: CLINTON MANNING

BRITISH Airways yesterday offered staff a pounds 1,000 bonus in a bid to cut "excessive sickness" and head off a crippling strike.

But unions last night insisted they would not call off the 24-hour walkout scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend.

BA says up to 40,000 staff will pocket the extra cash provided they are not off sick for more than 16 days over two years.

It claims workers take an average 17 days off sick each year compared with the national average of seven days.

Some take up to 150 days off a year, costing the company pounds 60million a year.

The bonus would be on top of the 8.5 per cent offered to 12,000 check-in staff and baggage handlers.

BA operations director Mike Street said: "We have to tackle the issue of absenteeism."

But union leaders said the scheme was flawed and "sickies" should be tackled separately from pay.

A TGWU spokeswoman said: "It's muddying the water."