British Airways billing staff are threatening to strike in the summer, as unions are taking advantage of the chaos of travel to reach a new wage deal.
Unit leaders, the union, say registration staff have lost pay raises that align wages with pre-pandemic levels.
BA has restored management pay to pre-crisis levels, but the airline refuses to reverse a 10% cut imposed on blue-collar workers during the pandemic, it is said.
About 500 employees will be voted on between June 7 and 27 before a possible departure intended to cause maximum disruption during the summer holidays.
The queue comes as long queues extend into terminal buildings this mid-term, as airports and ground service teams face rising demand after easing travel restrictions. Covid earlier this year.
United Secretary General Sharon Graham said: “A strike by our members will have an immediate impact on customer service, so I urge BA to monitor and restore the pay of these workers immediately.
“British Airways used Covid coverage to brutally reduce members’ salaries. BA has now reversed the salary cuts imposed on management, but refuses to do so for our members. This is a shame. Unite will not allow our members should be treated as a second-class workforce. “
British Airways said billing staff had turned down a 10 per cent pay offer for the current year.
Follow the climb in a row between BA and his riders. The Telegraph revealed over the weekend that pilots are facing a 9% pay cut next year under a wage agreement reached at the height of the pandemic and designed to fund the salaries of remaining staff without a job.
Frustration is growing among pilots and ground crew as the UK flagship company promises a return to profitability and a sharp increase in boardroom remuneration at parent company IAG.
The pilots did accept the pay-as-you-go regime to reduce the number of compulsory dismissals, however.
Martin Chalk, general secretary of the Balpa Drivers’ Union, said this weekend: that, through their Balpa union, they will insist on full salaries, and the conditions are restored and their sacrifices are duly recognized. ”
Unite today warned BA customers that they could face a major disruption if industrial action is achieved.
United Regional Regional Officer Russ Ball said: “British Airways has had every opportunity to resolve this dispute through negotiations, but has decided not to do so. So our members are voting in favor of industrial action as last resort.
“The strike action and the accompanying disruption can be avoided if BA returns to negotiations and restores our members’ pay rates to pre-pandemic levels.”
A British Airways spokesman said: “We have received a notification that some of our customer service colleagues will be involved in a vote for an industrial action. This is extremely disappointing. After about two very difficult years in which the company lost more than £ 4bn, these colleagues were offered a 10% payment for this year, which was rejected.Other parts of the organization accepted the same offer recognizing the position where the company is still located.
“We remain engaged in talks with our unions about their concerns and hope that together we can find a way to reach an agreement in the best interests of our people and our customers.”