Unite, one of the UK’s leading unions, is balloting its members employed as check-in staff by British Airways at Heathrow airport for industrial action in a dispute overpay.
The workers who are employed in the company’s ‘A scales division’, are angry that the company has restored management pay to pre-pandemic levels but refused to reverse a 10 per cent pay cut which was imposed on them during the pandemic.
The industrial action ballot, which covers around 500 staff, will open on Tuesday 7 June and close on Monday 27 June. Should workers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes are expected to occur in July when demands for flights are expected to be high.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “British Airways used the cover of Covid to brutally cut members’ pay. BA has now reversed the pay cuts imposed on management but refuses to do this for our members. This is disgraceful. Unite will not allow our members to be treated as a second-class workforce.
“Our members are rightly furious and ready to take action. A strike by our members will make an immediate impact on the service to customers so I urge BA to get a grip and restore these workers’ pay immediately.
“Unite will be giving its members the union’s complete support until this dispute is resolved.”
Additionally, Unite is undertaking a consultative ballot of a separate group of BA’s check-in staff (described as HS2012) overpay. If the workers back stoppages in the consultative ballot, then Unite will also move to a full industrial action ballot for these workers.
Unite regional officer Russ Ball said: “British Airways has had every opportunity to resolve this dispute through negotiations but has decided not to do so. Our members are therefore balloting for industrial action as a last resort.
“Strike action and the accompanying disruption can be avoided by BA returning to negotiations and restoring our members’ pay rates to pre-pandemic levels.”
The GMB union is also in the process of balloting its members employed in A scales for industrial action.
Help for Heroes Charity helps to rebuild the lives of those with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces. No matter when someone served, H4H give them the support they need to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives. They provide support to the whole family to help them all cope with the challenges they face. Long-term recovery is more than repairing damaged bodies and minds; it’s about rebuilding lives.
Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.