As expected, British Airways crews voted to strike next week, promising disruptions to travel during a crucial holiday season for the British airline. The strike is expected to begin December 22 and last until January 2. More than 90 percent of the voting crew members were in favor of the strike. This leaves British Airways in a tight position as they face holiday travel without required crew.
Unite, the union representing the carrier’s 13,500 flight attendants, has spent months battling with British Airways management over pay, contracts, and job cuts. Although this sounds as though the crews are paid too little, the IBritain’s Civil Aviation Authority says the flight crews are paid higher than those at rival airlines – twice more than Virgin Atlantic’s crews. Long-haul service cabin crews earn between £35,000 – £56,000 per year, while short-haul service pay ranges from £18,000 – £52,000. To compare, their salary is generally much higher than U.S. regional pilots.
The U.K. flag carrier is already facing a record loss of £208 million, or $338 million, for the six months to September 30. In addition, the airline disclosed its deficit in the employee pension fund had more than doubled to £3.7 billion (since last March), from £1.8 billion a year earlier. Financial problems have forced the carrier into money-spending mode, and the airline plans to cut 5,000 jobs of its current workforce by March 2010 (approximately 13 percent of its current staff). British Airways chief Willie Walsh has already labeled 2009 the “toughest year in the history of aviation” – I think many aviation-based companies would agree.
Memories of 1997 resurface for some, as the airline’s crews participated in a three-day walkout, leaving 25,000 passengers stranded at airports.
