British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle was warned during a meeting with pilot representatives last Tuesday that “only quantifiable actions would be acceptable…”, according to an email to its members seen by the Telegraph last week. “This did not happen,” the email said.
British Airways pilots agreed to sacrifice part of their salaries to mitigate job losses in a pay deal agreed in July 2020. They accepted temporary pay cuts of 20%, falling to 8% over two years following, which made it possible to reduce job cuts from 1,255 to 1,255. 270.
Pilots want a pay raise instead of a cut. Union sources said there are increasing calls for a strike vote after seeing the success of the Unite and GMB unions.
Ground handling staff called off planned industrial action last week after winning an 8% pay rise. Meanwhile, staff working for refueling companies servicing rival aircraft have been offered a 10% pay rise.
A union source said: “They did it by stomping their feet and taking a vote on strike action.
“‘BA seems to ignore you until you issue a vote’, is the feeling among members. Within Balpa we don’t usually like to do that. We prefer a grown-up approach. But we are under enormous pressure. And the longer happens, the more difficult it will be.”
Tom Keeney, a veteran BT executive, was parachuted in earlier this month to lead talks on behalf of British Airways. He was hired in a new position titled director of labor relations.
Talks continued today after Balpa wrote to airline bosses reiterating that the salary sacrifice scheme should be abandoned.
Martin Chalk, general secretary of Balpa, said: “We are in talks with British Airways and want to persuade them that the continued deductions from our members’ pay are not justified. In reality, we should be talking about pay rises given the ‘inflationary scenario.
“Unless BA is prepared to walk this path with us, we will need to consult with members to consider our next actions.”
British Airways has been contacted for comment.