After lots of posturing on both sides, it seems that Unite has followed through with its threat, and crew from British Airways Mixed Fleet has been called out on strike.
British Airways Airbus A320 departing Heathrow – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
The strike runs for two days – 10th and 11th January 2017.
British Airways are insisting the following will operate:
- all flights to and from London Gatwick will operate as normal
- all flights to and from London City will operate as normal
- the vast majority of flights to and from London Heathrow will operate as normal
Certain flights from London Heathrow will be consolidated, with customers either having to depart earlier or later than booked. You should had been contacted by British Airways regarding this (or if you’ve been proactive, managing it through Manage My Booking).
According to the Evening Standard, 48 flights will face cancellation. Whilst not a lot – it will inconvenience passengers – although getting a list of cancelled flights out of British Airways is akin to getting a free cup of coffee out of them if you travel short-haul (which is coming Wednesday).
The dispute is over pay and what Unite sees as “poverty pay” being paid to its members. A full background to the strike can be found on BBC News including some of the rather alarming numbers.
One thing to bear in mind – if British Airways Management and Unite can’t see eye to eye over this, Unite does hold a mandate from its membership to call for further industrial action (including strikes).
Expect this to rumble on.
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