British Airways pilots strike over pay and conditions
- Natalie Chen
Pilots at British Airways (BA) have gone on a two-day strike fighting for better pay and working conditions. The vast majority of BA’s 4,300 pilot based at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London will join the action, the first-ever pilot strike that the 45-year-old airline has experienced.
Pilots have already rejected a pay increase worth 11.5% over three years, which was proposed by the airline in July. According to the British Airline Pilots Association, members had taken lower pay rises and made sacrifices for the airline in recent years. With BA seeing a 9% rise in profits last year, the union said that the pilots should be rewarded with a higher share of those profits. Pilots are also seeking increased benefits.
Both BA and the BALPA union are reportedly working towards new discussions.
The vast majority of BA flights taking off from the UK on Monday and Tuesday have been cancelled and affected passengers have been advised not to go to the airport.
