Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- British Airways Plc said the Unite union formally notified the company of plans to hold a strike vote for cabin crew, which could lead to the first walkout in more than a decade.

Voting will be held from Nov. 16 to Dec. 14, Unite said in an e-mailed statement. The ballot is in response to BA’s “determination to force through a package of measures,” including contractual changes without agreement of the union, the group said in an e-mailed statement.

British Airways last month bypassed Unite, which represents 96 percent of its 14,000 flight attendants, to agree on the equivalent of 1,700 job cuts. Europe’s third-largest airline said yesterday it had a net loss of 217 million pounds ($360 million) in the six months ended Sept. 30, widening from 49 million pounds a year earlier.

“The company’s imposed reduction to crew numbers is unfair and unworkable, leaving fewer people doing more work but for less money,” which will harm service, the union said. Unite failed to win an injunction blocking new practices due to start Nov. 16.

“We remain available to talk at any time and urge Unite to withdraw from its plans and resume discussions with us,” airline spokeswoman Anne Morton said by phone today.

Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh said on a conference call yesterday it was “absolutely clear” that British Airways “must continue to reduce our cost base.”

Walsh’s savings plans include the elimination of 1,200 overseas posts in addition to 3,700 domestic job cuts.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sabine Pirone in London at spirone@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 7, 2009 10:08 EST