British Airways pilots vote to strike during the summer season

Update July 24, 2019: Unite suspended the strike on July 26-27, 2019, while workers vote on new pay offer. The union was previously expecting over 4000 workers to join the industrial action. The union added they won’t share any details of the pay offer until its members have voted on the new deal. Until that time, strikes on August 5-6 and August 23-24 also remain “on the table”.

The great majority of British Airways pilots have voted to take strike action in pay dispute.

British Airway Pilots Association (BALPA) reveals that a total, 90% of members participated in the ballot and strike action was supported by 93% vote.

“This strong result demonstrates the resolve of BA pilots and shows BA that it must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted. Sadly three days of ACAS talks have not moved the company’s position one iota. Settlement of this dispute is in BA’s hands,” said BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton on July 22, 2019.

Meanwhile, British Airlines management did not keep silent against this vote. 

“We’re very disappointed that the pilot union, BALPA, has chosen to disrupt our customers’ travel plans – including the summer holidays of thousands of families and friends – with potential strike action,’’ British Airways wrote on July 22, 2019.

An official statement by the airline outlines that union was offered a rise of 11.5% over three years, calling the offer “fair”. It also states that the Unite and GMB trade unions, “which represent nearly 90 percent of British Airways staff”, have recommended the offer to their members.

Following the union vote, some British Airways passengers are not worried about their travel plans. Even though the company announced that there are no changes to their schedule as of yet, it did not satisfy holidaymakers who took to social media to express their worries.