British Airways workers call off Heathrow strike after accepting 8% pay increase
Hundreds of British Airways staff voted today in favor of an increased pay offer from the airline, averting a strike action at London Heathrow airport. The strike, which had been expected later this month, had threatened to cripple operations for the struggling airline.
The new deal means workers will receive an 8% pay raise, as well as a one-off bonus and the return of extra pay for irregular shifts, which amounts to a 13% compensation increase this year, according to a representative of one of the affected unions, Unite.
Speaking of the new deal, the head of the second affected union, GMB national officer Nadine Houghton, said it was a long time coming.
"No one wanted a summer strike at Heathrow, but our members had to fight for what was right," she said.
"Now these mainly women workers have won pay improvements for themselves – as well as forcing BA to make this offer to the rest of [its] staff too," she added.
Echoing Houghton's sentiment, Sharon Graham, the general secretary Unite, said: "This is a great result for our check-in members at British Airways. By standing together, they have forced a corporate giant like BA to do the right thing and restore levels of pay slashed in the pandemic."
Related: Travel is back, and so are the crowds. How early do you need to get to the airport?
Over 700 BA workers with the Unite and GMB unions were set to strike after airline executives refused to backtrack on a 10% pay cut for low-level staff made during the pandemic. There was also apparently the threat of "fire and rehire" if staff refused the pay cut, meaning that workers could have been laid off and then given the opportunity to return to their jobs with worse pay, benefits — or both.
The unions' acceptance of BA's improved deal will avoid any walkouts this month — which has to be sweet relief for the U.K.'s most iconic airline.
Having already announced plans to cut 10,300 flights across Europe between July and October following thousands of others already cut this year, the last thing BA executives needed was a strike by check-in staff at its U.K. base this July.
In what's being called the "summer of the discontent," labor actions are on the rise – particularly across the travel sector, which saw a raft of pay freezes and job cuts during the pandemic. Union members are hitting back, and given the mountain of issues already threatening the big firms, airlines are listening.
Not all airlines are playing hardball with staff, however. Jet2, which (perhaps not coincidentally) is one of the most reliable airlines in operation at British airports right now, recently announced it would be awarding staff an 8% salary hike in addition to a one-off, $1,204.05 payment to help with the current cost-of-living crisis.
The British Airways news also comes as Heathrow executives themselves are attempting to streamline operations. A controversial passenger cap that will affect over a quarter of a million flyers has now been extended until the end of October.
Related: Heathrow's controversial passenger cap will now last until October
If you're worried about other labor actions potentially putting a damper on your summer travel plans, keep up to date with the latest on the labor union situation in the travel industry here.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Unlimited up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Housing payments may include transaction fees, depending on the payment method
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.