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.
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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.
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There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees