BA cabin crew vote for Heathrow walkout

 

More than 2,000 members of British Airways cabin crew staff have voted to strike in a dispute over pay.

The workers, who represents around 15% of the airline’s cabin crew, were balloted on plans for an industrial walkout affecting services at Heathrow, the Unite union has said.

The decision comes after BA cabin crew rejected a pay rise of 2% last month.

Strike action could potentially begin after December 21, although Unite is yet to confirm whether the walkout would affect travellers over the Christmas period.

Unite balloted around 2,500 of the airline’s crew at Heathrow, with a 79% vote to strike on a 60% turnout.

In response, BA said the union was “creating uncertainty” for passengers during a busy time of year.

Tension over pay and working conditions between the airline and Unite has been ongoing, BBC News reports.

The dispute concerns around 4,000 staff who joined BA since 2010 as part of its Mixed Fleet, who do not feel they are paid enough.

Earnings were advertised between £21,000 and £25,000 but, more accurately start at just over £12,000 plus £3 an hour flying pay, Unite claims.

“Not surprisingly, the crew have rejected a 2% pay offer and onboard customer service managers are furious,” the union said in a statement.

“They do not have collective bargaining rights. The managers have also endured a six-year pay freeze.”

According to a recent survey organised by Unite, half of Mixed Fleet staff have had to take on a second jobs to make ends meet, while the report claims that more than two-thirds of staff were going to work “unfit to fly” because they could not afford to be off sick.

The research also stated that 84% of staff reported experiencing stress and depression since joining BA because of worries over their financial circumstances.

Matt Smith, Unite regional officer, said: “Not only are the pay rates indefensible, but in aviation, low pay is a safety issue.”

A BA spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed that the union is creating uncertainty for our customers.

“Mixed Fleet Unite represents about 15% of our cabin crew. We remain focused on resolving this issue as quickly as possible without any disruption to customers.

“We have proposed a fair and reasonable pay increase to Mixed Fleet cabin crew which is in line with that accepted by other British Airways colleagues and which will ensure their reward levels remain in line with cabin crew at our airline competitors.”