Leaders of British Airways cabin crew locked in crisis talks with the airline are desperate for a deal that would include pay cuts and job losses, but they fear BA bosses will not sanction an agreement.
Leaders of the union Unite, which represents 28,000 of BA’s 40,000 staff, are recommending members across the airline accept a two-year salary freeze and that cabin crew agree a pay cut of 2.61% – in line with pay cuts already recommended by pilots’ union Balpa. Unite says its proposals would save BA in excess of the £220 million the airline is demanding.
However, the union opposes BA demands to introduce new contracts and sharply reduced pay rates for new recruits, which it says would destroy the career structure at the carrier and turn the bulk of the workforce into temporary employees.
Customer service workers, including check-in staff, will attend mass meetings at Heathrow on Monday. Union officials will then present a letter to shareholders at BA’s annual general meeting on Tuesday outlining their attempt to reach an agreement.
More than 2,100 BA cabin crew voted to accept pay cuts and other cost-cutting proposals at a mass meeting last Monday, but rejected BA’s demands.
Union officials insist BA could achieve the reduction in 3,900 full-time jobs it wants through negotiation. They say thousands of staff are on waiting lists to reduce their hours. In addition, almost 7,000 staff have opted to take unpaid leave, go part time or even work for nothing for a period.
Unite officials stress they are not in dispute with BA despite the impasse following a month of talks. BA chief executive Willie Walsh has said the airline is in “a fight for survival” after losing £401 million in the year to March, although it made a record profit of £922 million the year before.
The union will appeal to shareholders to help find “a non-conflictual settlement”. Its letter will say: “We want to work with BA. Help us secure an agreement to safeguard the future of this airline.” Talks with the airline, hosted by consoliation service Acas, are due to resume on Wednesday.
Unite national secretary for aviation Steve Turner said: “We hope, with common sense, to reach an agreement acceptable to both parties. If we do not reach agreement, the ball is in BA’s court.”