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British Airways strike threat: ‘The end of summer as we know it’
Holidaymakers are set to face even more airport disruption, at least those departing from Heathrow.
British Airways staff at Heathrow Airport voted overwhelmingly for strikes over pay.
They are targeting walk-outs for the last two weekends of July to ‘maximise leverage’
BA operates about 600 flights a day from Heathrow.
The dispute is over BA’s refusal to reinstate 10% pay which was docked during the pandemic.
Unite says BA restored the pay cut for management.
“They have insulted this workforce, slashing pay by 10% only to restore it to managers but not to our members,” said Oliver Richardson, Unite national officer for aviation
BA was called a ‘national disgrace’ due to its contentious ‘fire and rehire’ strategy during the pandemic.
Steve Witt co-founder of Not Just Travel, has sympathy for BA staff, but urges customers to book as normal.
“We recommend customers book as normal. Airports and airlines are working together to minimise disruption and good travel agents will ensure customers are fully protected,” Witt said
“The airline strikes, should they go ahead in the summer, are only affecting Heathrow, not any of the other airports across the UK.
“Alternatively, cruises from the UK have never been better in terms of ease, offer and value”
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 then you’ll likely be entitled to compensation.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “This is obviously a matter for British Airways and the unions, and we would strongly encourage both to come together to find a settlement.”
“We don’t want to see any further disruption for passengers. Strike action would only add to the misery being faced by passengers”.
“DfT will obviously work closely to look at what contingency measures BA could put in place.”
Good Morning Britain’s Simon Calder days if it goes ahead, will ‘feel like the end of summer as we know it’.
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