British Airways and the Unite union have finally reached an agreement that will see an end to their long-running dispute.
The dispute, which lasted almost two years and involved 22 days of strike action, originally began because of cabin crew job cuts and a pay freeze.
BA has now agreed to restore travel concessions to staff who went on strike and award a two-year pay deal for cabin crew, worth up to 7.5 per cent. The agreement will be put to a ballot of around 10,000 union members, with Unite strongly recommending them to accept.
In a statement, the airline said: “On behalf of our customers, we are very pleased the threat of industrial action has been lifted and that we have reached a point where we can put this dispute behind us. Our agreement with Unite involves acknowledgement by the union that the cost-saving structural changes we have made in cabin crew operations are permanent.
“We have also agreed changes that will modernise our crew industrial relations and help ensure that this kind of dispute cannot occur again.”
The statement concluded: “British Airways cabin crew are rightly renowned for their professionalism and skills. Our airline has a great future, and everyone within it intends to move forward together.”
Cases involving staff members who were sacked or disciplined during the dispute will now be referred to the arbitration service Acas.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey commented: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement which I believe recognises the rights and dignity of cabin crew as well as the commercial requirements of the company. This agreement will allow us to go forward in partnership together to strengthen this great British company—good news for BA, its employees and its customers alike.”
Passengers will no doubt be relieved to see an end to the strike action. As for BA, it is thought that its bill for the disruption caused could be as much as £150 million.
