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British Airways (BA) has suspended more than a dozen union members over allegations of a hate campaign waged against staff opposing a strike, the Daily Mail has reported.

Up to 15 employees thought to belong to the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association, part of Unite, have been accused of launching the campaign, which is believed to include verbal threats, written abuse, hardcore pornography and even threats to poison strikebreakers.

The hate campaign has been largely targeted at a new organization formed on February 1 by BA cabin crew moderates, called the Professional Cabin Crew Council, which was set up to rival unions and fight against further strikes. Furthermore, BA staff who have questioned the strikes on internet chat room crewforum.co.uk have also found themselves on the sharp end of abuse. A BA spokesman confirmed the suspensions, adding: “We will not tolerate intimidation of our staff and any reports of staff being threatened will be thoroughly investigated.

“A number of staff have been suspended while we carry out investigations. As that investigation is happening at the moment it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.” The suspensions come as Unite re-ballots its 12,000 BA cabin crew members over potential strikes in March. The union is angry at plans to reduce cabin crew staff numbers on long-haul flights as well as cut pay.

An original 12-day strike planned by cabin crew over Christmas was cancelled when it was ruled illegal by the High Court.