After the company presented an improved salary offer, strikes by some British Airways check-in staff at London Heathrow appear to be avoided.
The dispute was put on hold after prolonged negotiations, according to Unite, the union that represents the workers, on July 6, 2022.
“We welcome that BA has finally listened to the voice of its check-in staff,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said in a statement on July 7, 2022. “Unite has repeatedly warned that pay disputes at BA were inevitable unless the company took our members’ legitimate grievances seriously. I pay tribute to, and stand with, our members who have fought hard to protect their pay.”
A 10% salary reduction enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic was challenged by the check-in workers.
Members of Unite will now vote through the ballot on BA’s “much enhanced” salary offer.
The news will be welcome for BA and Heathrow, which are already having trouble keeping up with the summer travel demand. However, the vote of jet refuelers at the London hub to strike also raises the possibility of another strike.
