British Airways (BA) has written to former staff asking them to cover if cabin crew vote in favour of industrial action.

The airline has offered staff six month temporary contracts worth around £1,000 a month, according to the Times. BA has told these former cabin crew that retraining would take a week and courses start from February 22.

Unite union started balloting members on January 22 and the vote is expected to take a month. If staff vote in favour, the strike will take place next month.

A 12-day strike at Christmas was avoided when a judge ruled that it was illegal.