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UK cabin crew strike threat wins deal
31 January 2007
Cabin crew working for a major UK airline have called off strike action after intensive negotiations led to agreement on a settlement.
 |  | | Cabin crew member at work | |
The strike by British Airways (BA) cabin crew – most of them members of the ITF-affiliated Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU) – was scheduled to take place today and yesterday. The dispute revolved around issues such as sickness absence, pay and pensions.
However, following almost a week of talks between the crew and management, a settlement was reached on Monday.
The agreement includes an above inflation 4.6 per cent wage rise, moves to end the two-tier workforce, an increase in pensionable pay of 18.7 per cent, as well as a fairer sickness absence system.
Tony Woodley, TGWU General Secretary, who led the talks for the union, commented: "One thing is clear - this deal means our members regain respect from BA. These hard-working professionals are loyal to their company and deserve rightful respect from BA for the role they play in the success of this airline. We now have an ideal opportunity for cabin crew and this company to build a better working relationship and it must be grasped.
"This has been a very difficult negotiation. We have had to address a multitude of problems that the company has allowed to build up over a number of years but that needed to be solved. I am pleased, therefore, that there has been significant movement by the company to resolve this dispute and address these issues.”
Full details of the package are being put to union members this week.
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