British Airways strikes: cabin crew to vote on new deal
The leader of union Unite, Len McCluskey, has called the latest offer an 'honourable settlement', perhaps the biggest sign yet that, after more than two years and 22 strikes, the dispute that has cost British Airways 150million could now finally be about to come to an end. A new deal has been reached between Unite and BA, which is already being regarded as a crucial victory for the airline and Willie Walsh who led it for most of the conflict.
Peace deal: British Airways cabin crew have agreed to call off their bitter dispute with the airlineYesterday a BA spokesman said he was very pleased that the threat of industrial action had been lifted, adding that it had been a black cloud which hung over the airline for too long.Under the terms of the agreement, cabin crew will get a 2.9-per-cent pay rise this year, and 3 per cent next year.While this is relatively generous, it comes after a two-year pay freeze.
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Victory for the workers: British Airways cabin crew will get a pay rise and all travel concessions returned, after the airline punished strikers by taking them awayThough it still needs to be ratified by a ballot of the member! ship, Le n McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, yesterday said hewas delighted with the deal.But the company has given little or no ground in several key areas of the dispute.The long-running conflict was triggered by the airlines proposals to cut the number of cabin crew on many of its flights an issue over which the airline has not made concessions.Unions were furious at this move, even though BA had significantly more staff on its flights than is legally required. For example, by law a Boeing 747 must have a minimum of 12 cabin crew. BA flights have 14.
Industrial action: Cabin staff had been embroiled in a dispute with the airline since October 2009
Bitter: Many workers laid the blame for the dispute squarely on former BA chief Willy WalshAnother key conflict surrounded the companys intention to hire new staff on less generous pay deals than those enjoyed by its current 13,500-strong team. Official figures, from the Civil Aviation Authority, show BA wages to be among the industrys best.A typical BA cabin crew member enjoys a pay package of 29,900 a year.By comparison, someone doing the same job at rival airline Virgin Atlantic gets less than half this, with an average salary of 13,300.
'21st century trade unionism': Unite chief Len McCluskey paid tribute to the BA cabin crew strikers Despite the dispute, British Airways, now part of the International Airlines Group, following a merger with Iberia Airlines, has managed to hire new staff on lower pay.It currently employs around 700 new crew, who typically earn between 10,000 and 15,000 less than the existing cabin staff.
They work together on separate flights to existing crew, flying to around 14 destinations, such as Las Vegas.The c onstant threat of strikes over the past two years meant many customers abandoned the airline, rather than risk losing a flight if the industrial dispute flared up again.
At its worst point in 2009, Unite members were threatening to walk out for 12 days over Christmas.
Despite the threats, Mr Walsh repeatedly made it clear that he would fight for as long as it takes to win the battle.
As part of their strategy to beat the strikes, the airline trained thousands of volunteers to replace the cabin crew when they were on the picket line.
Unites 10,000 BA cabin crew members will vote on the terms of the agreement, with a result expected next month. They are advised by their union to vote yes.
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