…Posted by Sade Williams
British Airways (BA) flights may be disrupted for some three days in September as the airline’s pilots under the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) are set to go on strike on September 9th, 10th and 27th over pay dispute.
A statement made available to The Travel Port by BA consultants in Lagos, lamented that despite all pleas and negotiations, the pilots body decided to announce the dates.
“It is completely unacceptable that BALPA is destroying the travel plans of tens of thousands of our customers with this unjustifiable strike action. BALPA has given us notice that they will strike on September 9th, 10th and 27th. We are extremely sorry that after many months of negotiations, based on a very fair offer, BALPA has decided on this reckless course of action”, the airline said.
The British Airline Pilots’ Association is the professional association and registered trade union for UK pilots.
BALPA represents the views and interests of pilots, campaigning on contractual, legal and health issues affecting its members and the flying public.
BA consultants in Lagos, the Quadrant Company through Tiarhan Oghenejode, explained further that BA will make changes to its schedule adding that many of its customers may not be able to travel during the period.
“We are now making changes to our schedule. We will do everything we can to get as many people away on their journeys as possible. However, it is likely that many of our customers will not be able to travel and we will be offering refunds and re-bookings for passengers booked on cancelled flights.
– Flights on BA CityFlyer, SUN-AIR and Comair are not affected
– We are exploring options to supplement our fleet by using aircraft and crew from other airlines (wet-leasing)
– We are working with our partner airlines to schedule larger aircraft to take the maximum number of customers.
“Our proposed deal of 11.5 per cent over three years is very fair and well above the UK’s current rate of inflation, and by contrast to BALPA, has been accepted by the members of the Unite and GMB trade unions, which represent nearly 90 per cent of all British Airways colleagues including engineers, cabin crew and ground staff. In addition to basic pay, pilots also receive annual pay increments and regular flying allowances.
“We continue to pursue every avenue to find a solution to avoid industrial action and protect our customers’ travel plans”, it added.
