British Airways staff threaten summer strike Business

British Airways check-in staff are threatening to strike in the height of summer as unions take advantage of the travel chaos to force through a new pay deal.

Bosses at Unite, the union, say check-in staff have missed out on pay rises that bring wages back to pre-pandemic levels.

BA has restored management salaries to pre-crisis levels, but the airline is refusing to reverse a 10% cut imposed on blue-collar workers during the pandemic, it is claimed.

Some 500 employees will be elected between June 7 and 27 before a possible walkout aimed at causing maximum disruption during the summer holidays.

The row comes as long queues stretch out of terminals this semester as airports and ground handling crews grapple with increased demand following the easing of Covid travel restrictions earlier This year.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “A strike by our members will have an immediate impact on service to customers, so I urge BA to pull together and restore wages to these workers immediately.

“British Airways used Covid cover to cut members’ pay abruptly. BA has now reversed pay cuts imposed on management but refuses to do so for our members. It is shameful. Unite will not allow our members to be treated as second class labor.

British Airways has been contacted for comment.

It follows the escalation of a feud between BA and its pilots. The Telegraph revealed over the weekend that pilots will face a 9 per cent pay cut next year under a pay deal struck at the height of the pandemic and designed to fund staff salaries without work.

Frustration is growing among pilots and ground staff as the British flag carrier promises a return to profitability and a big pay rise for board members at parent company IAG.

The pilots, however, accepted the wage sacrifice program to reduce the number of mandatory layoffs.

Martin Chalk, general secretary of the pilots’ union Balpa, said over the weekend: “As managers and shareholders consider putting away their napkins before plunging their noses back into bonus and dividend dips, pilots are warning that they will, through their union Balpa, demand full pay and conditions are restored and their sacrifices are properly recognized.”

Unite today warned BA customers they could face major disruption if industrial action continues.

Unite regional manager Russ Ball said: “British Airways had every opportunity to resolve this dispute through negotiations but decided against it. Our members are therefore voting for a strike as a last resort.

“The strike and accompanying disruption can be averted if BA resumes negotiations and restores pay rates for our members to pre-pandemic levels.”