BA strike is off
Chaos averted as check-in staff agree pay deal
A STRIKE threat by hundreds of British Airways check-in staff has been suspended after a “vastly improved” pay offer was made.
Around 800 workers at Heathrow had been preparing to walk out.
Following talks with the Unite and GMB unions, as revealed by the Mirror, an agreement was announced yesterday. Details were not revealed but will be put to members.
The row dates to a 10% pay cut in the early stages of the Covid crisis.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We welcome BA has finally listened to its check-in staff.
“Unite has repeatedly warned pay disputes were inevitable unless the company took our members’ legitimate grievances seriously.”
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “All our members were asking for was what they were owed. It is very clear workers threatening industrial action is what has delivered.”
BA said: “We are very pleased that, following collaboration with the unions, they have decided not to issue dates for industrial action.” But unrest continues, with issues such as rosters.
Morale at the airline is said to have yet to recover from BA’s fire and rehire tactics during the pandemic, which led to thousands of jobs axed.
A consultative ballot last month by Unite of 16,000 members at BA received 97% backing for potential industrial action at some stage.
BA confirmed this week it was cancelling another 10,300 flights in a bid to avoid further chaos.
Jet2 boss Philip Meeson yesterday blasted airports and others for being “woefully ill-prepared” for a jump in traveller numbers. The head of Manchester Airports Group yesterday admitted failings. Charlie Cornish said: “Recruitment has been more difficult than anticipated.”