British Airways officials voted to strike during the summer school holidays in a move that will cause more travel chaos as the industry struggles to recover from the pandemic.
GMB and Unite union members overwhelmingly supported the prospect of industrial action against pay, with 95% of voters in both unions supporting 81% and 63% voter strikes, respectively.
This means that more than 700 BA inspection staff and ground staff can leave in the middle of the summer season.
No strike dates have been announced, as unions have suggested they want to give the airline some time to change its mind on the key issue.
The unions are seeking to repeal the 10% reduction in workers’ wages imposed during the pandemic.
BA says it has offered a 10% one-time bonus, but not a return to the same pay as before.
“With grim predictability, holidaymakers are facing huge disruptions thanks to the recklessness of British Airways,” said Nadine Houghton, a national employee of GMB.
“GMB members in Heathrow have suffered indescribable abuse while dealing with travel chaos caused by staff shortages and IT failures. At the same time, their salaries were reduced during BA’s harsh fire and re-hiring policy, “she said.
What did BA think was going to happen?
The strike was followed by a wave of discontent expressed by workers across the country in recent months.
Many are pushing for higher wages to tackle the cost of living crisis.
About 40,000 members of the Union for Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) in Network Rail and 13 train operators left this week.
The RMT secretary general warned that railway strikes could “escalate” unless an agreement is reached for all workers in the industry.
Mick Lynch told Sky News that more drivers could get involved in the dispute – and “other people are also voting in this industry”.
Add Comment