Unite said it has secured a “game-changing” pay deal for Heathrow-based cabin crew employed by CAE Crewing Services Ltd on its contract for Scandinavian airline SAS Connect.
All workers will receive a phased 18% pay rise, beginning with an immediate hike of 11%, followed by a 4% increase in November and 3% in March 2023.
The deal also reverses a 10% pay cut accepted by the workforce during the pandemic.
More: British Airways staff vote for summer strike at Heathrow
Long-service payments have been introduced, with staff receiving an extra 7% for every two years served, up to eight years’ service. Long-service payments will also be backdated.
Workers will receive a one-off £1,200 summer bonus for 2022, as well as increases in overnight rates and other pay elements.
The union said it means that senior cabin crew members with 48 months’ service will see their wages immediately increase by £4,790.
Cabin crew members who have served the same amount of time will be better off by £4,019.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “This is a game-changing deal for our members working on the SAS Connect contract.
“It will see the reversal of the 10% cut to their wages made during the pandemic and a substantial increase in their pay.
“I strongly advise other aviation employers, including British Airways, to take note.
“Without across-the-board, drastic improvements to the poor wages and working conditions within this sector, the staff shortages driving the chaos at airports will continue.”
Unite regional officer Lindsey Olliver said: “It is testament to our Unite representatives and negotiating team that we have been able to secure this pay award.
“This outstanding result is a reminder of what can be achieved when a well-organised, unionised workforce stands together.
“Without this deal CAE would not have been able to retain staff in the UK’s increasingly competitive aviation sector.”
Last week, British Airways check-in staff at Heathrow who are members of the Unite union voted for strike action.
Unite said the dispute is a result of BA restoring the 10% pay cut made during the pandemic to management but not reinstating wage rates for the check-in staff.