British Airways check-in staff at Heathrow began voting on a deal today that if accepted would end their threat to strike this summer.
The Unite and GMB unions which represent the 700 check-in workers agreed a settlement with BA last week which led them to postpone plans to announce strikes over the last two weekends of July.
However, the threat of strikes remains unless the deal is accepted.
The check-in staff, predominantly low-paid women, were set to walk out after a 10% pay cut imposed on them by BA during the pandemic was not reinstated.
The unions declined to give details of the agreement in advance of the ballot which will close on July 21. But they have demanded full restoration of the pay cut and back pay.
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “Not only have these predominantly women workers won pay improvements for themselves, but BA has now been forced to make this offer to the rest of their staff too.
“GMB members organising and threatening strike action have forced British Airways to move on pay – something which is long overdue.
“The GMB is recommending they accept the new pay deal.
“These are frontline workers facing harassment and, in some cases, abuse from customers daily. The least they deserve is fair pay.”