British Airways court action looms as pilots back summer strikes
Written by News on 22/07/2019
British Airways is preparing to go to court in an attempt to halt possible peak summer holiday season strikes by pilots.
It emerged on Monday that members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) had backed industrial action in a row over pay by more than 9-1 on a turnout of 90%.
If strikes were to be called, they would be the first by BA pilots in more than 40 years but the airline is due to go to the High Court on Tuesday to seek an injunction to prevent any walkouts.
Balpa is yet to set any strike dates – citing BA’s legal challenge.
Each side has blamed the other for the failure of negotiations, which began last year and broke down without agreement at the conciliation service Acas last week.
Balpa general secretary, Brian Strutton, said of the ballot: “This strong result demonstrates the resolve of BA pilots and shows BA that it must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted.
“Sadly three days of Acas talks have not moved the company’s position one iota. Settlement of this dispute is in BA’s hands.
“We do not wish to inconvenience our customers, which is why we have tried to resolve this matter through negotiation starting last November – it is BA who has regrettably chosen to drag this out into the summer months.”
Balpa represents the vast majority of BA’s 4,500 pilots.
They are seeking an inflation-busting pay deal, profit share and a share save scheme which would likely be linked to the performance of stock in BA’s parent firm IAG..
The airline has been fighting pay rows on several fronts in recent times – with the GMB and Unite unions recently recommending cabin crew and some other BA staff accept a new three-year pay offer.
BA would have to be given at least two weeks’ notice of any walkouts by pilots – meaning there is currently no prospect of any disruption until 6 August as things stand.
The company was yet to comment on the strike ballot result.
If BA was to win its legal challenge, Balpa would be obliged to organise a new strike ballot from scratch.
The union said it remained hopeful that strikes would not be necessary.
(c) Sky News 2019: British Airways court action looms as pilots back summer strikes
