British Airways have two scales pre- and post-1997. One is a well-paid job with good allowances. The other isn't.

When people strike someone usually suffers. But strikes are never one-sided and there was an overwhelming ballot in favour. I believe the management are as much if not more to blame. Willie Walsh has foregone his bonuses this year. Not especially difficult when you are paid £700,000 a year. And unless he is totally different to most bosses he'll be giving himself plenty of perks.

Now I happen to be in favour of people having well-paid jobs with good pay and allowances, especially if they have to spend periods away from home, I have worked away from home and it ain't much fun. I would certainly want a lot of compensation for doing it.

I do not like to see people hurt by strikes - but I certainly dn't want to see only one side blamed.