British Airways (BA) pilots are set to go on strike after they voted 93 per cent in favour of industrial action over pay, in a move which could disrupt the peak summer holiday season of the UK carrier.
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) which represents pilots, said a ballot of members saw a 90 per cent turnout. No dates for any potential strike action have been given.
BA is attempting to injunct this industrial action in the High Court today (23 July) and BALPA said this means that any further negotiations are on hold while it prepares to defend the right to take this action.
BALPA general secretary, Brian Strutton, said: “This strong result demonstrates the resolve of BA pilots, and shows BA that it must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted.
“Sadly three days of ACAS talks have not moved the company’s position one iota. Settlement of this dispute is in BA’s hands.”
BALPA believes the cost to BA to settle dispute in full is significantly less than the cost would be of even a single day’s strike action.
The association said BA is making massive profits “as a result of the hard work and dedication of staff”, and as BA is no longer in a “fight for survival”, pilots deserve a small fraction of that profit via, for instance, a profit share scheme.
