‘Great courage’

Unite members working for British Airways’ mixed fleet at Heathrow will be starting the first three day tranche of six days of strike action on Sunday (February 5), as they continue their battle against poverty pay at the UK’s national carrier.

The first three days of action runs from Sunday 5 to Tuesday Februrary 7, followed by a further three days of strike action running from Thursday 9 to Saturday February 11.

As part of the dispute British Airways mixed fleet cabin crew have so far staged two stoppages, resulting in five days of strike action. The action has led to the cancellation of flights and the airline chartering, or ‘wet leasing’, aircraft from other airlines such as Titan Airways, Vueling and Thomson Airways to cover striking cabin crew.

The latest industrial action comes as British Airways refused last week’s offer of meaningful talks which was made in an open letter by Unite mixed fleet representatives.

The main picket line will be at Hatton Cross, next to the Tube station. It will be in operation from 9am on Sunday (February 5).

“Mixed fleet cabin crew members continue to show great courage in taking a stand against poverty pay at British Airways,” said Unite national officer Oliver Richardson.

“Rather than issuing threats and wasting huge amounts of cash on chartering aircraft to cover striking cabin crew, British Airways should start valuing staff who contribute massively to the billions of pounds in profits the airline generates,” he added.

“British Airways needs to stop defending some of the lowest basic salaries in the airline industry and start addressing pay levels, which are forcing mixed fleet cabin crew into debt and second jobs to make ends meet.”

Since 2010 all British Airways new cabin crew employees join what is called ‘mixed fleet’, where despite promises that pay would be 10 per cent above the market rate, basic pay starts at just £12,192 with £3 an hour flying pay. Unite estimates that on average ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew earn £16,000, including allowances, a year.