A proposed BA pilots strike is set to go ahead for September, the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) has just announced.
The three-day strike will take place on 9, 10 and 27 September. It will be the first ever strike by British Airways pilots.
Severe disruption is expected to the UK carrier’s services as the union represents some 90% of the airline’s pilots.
BBC News reports that 91% of Balpa’s members voted for the action in a dispute over pay.
“Over recent years BA pilots have made sacrifice after sacrifice to assist the company such as taking a pay cut, productivity increases, closing the final salary pension scheme, giving up annual leave days, a new rostering system, and reducing flying pay,” Balpa said.
The union rejected an offer by British Airways management that would have resulted in pay increases amounting to 11.5% over the course of three years.
BA said that the strike action was “unjustifiable” and would destroy people’s travel plans.
However, Balpa countered that the action was taken as a “last resort” after management had rejected a “number of packages” the union had proposed to them.
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Alex Cruz, BA’s CEO called the deal “fair” and Balpa’s action “disappointing”.
“We are focused on minimising disruption to those who may be affected,” he told BBC News.
However, the airline has admitted many customers “will not be able to travel” and it would “be offering refunds and rebookings for passengers booked on cancelled flights”.
In July, the airline’s owners, International Airlines Group (IAG), failed in its attempt to secure a court injunction to prevent the BA pilots strike in the UK High Court.
Last year, IAG reported a pre-tax profit of €3bn (£2.7bn), a rise of nearly almost 10% on 2017. BA contributed £1.96bn, up by 8.7%.
Cover image of BA plane: Francois Van, Unsplash.