The cost of living of is causing industry struggles as tens of thousands of workers are striking across the country over a pay increase to cope with the economic crisis.
British Airways workers are now the latest to vote to strike which will commence during the school summer holidays which will be devastating for thousands who have booked holidays.
The GMB trade union finished their ballot on Thursday morning and 95% of British Airways workers voted to strike which will see more than 700 BA check-in staff and ground handling agents to walk out.
Industrial action dates will be confirmed in the coming days but are likely to be during the peak summer holiday period.
The union are looking to reverse a 10% pay cut which was put in place during the pandemic, BA say that they offered a 10% one off bonus with no return to the same pay previously.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer slammed BA, she said, “With grim predictability, holiday makers face massive disruption thanks to the pig-headedness of British Airways.
“GMB members at Heathrow have suffered untold abuse as they deal with the travel chaos caused by staff shortages and IT failures.
“At the same time, they’ve had their pay slashed during BA’s callous fire and rehire policy,” she said.
“What did BA think was going to happen?”
“It’s not too late to save the summer holidays – other BA workers have had their pay cuts reversed.
“Do the same for ground and check-in staff and this industrial action can be nipped in the bud.”
Unite officer Russ Ball said, “The problems British Airways is facing are entirely of its own making. It brutally cut jobs and pay during the pandemic even though the Government was paying them to save jobs.
“In the case of this dispute, they have insulted this workforce, slashing pay by 10% only to restore it to managers but not to our members.
“BA is treating its loyal workforce as second class citizens and they will not put up with it a moment longer.
“Strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption to BA’s services at Heathrow.
“The company has a short window of opportunity to reinstate our members’ pay before strikes are called. I urge BA not to squander that opportunity.”
BA said, “After a deeply difficult two years which saw the business lose more than £4bn, these colleagues were offered a 10 percent payment for this year which was rejected.
“We remain fully committed to talks with our trade unions about their concerns and we hope that together we can find a way to reach an agreement in the best interests of our people and our customers.”
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said, “Passengers must not be made to bear the brunt of these strikes. British Airways should make the necessary arrangements to avoid a raft of hugely disruptive last-minute cancellations.
“Strikes by airline staff are within the airline’s control because it is negotiating with its staff, so if your flight is delayed or cancelled because of this then you’ll likely be entitled to compensation under Denied Boarding Regulations.
“BA must also reroute customers as soon as possible using other carriers if necessary, and explain these rights to customers. We know this requirement is not always being met, so the government and Civil Aviation Authority must intervene where airlines are playing fast and loose with the rules.”
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