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Airlines

British Airways Strike Looms as Talks Collapse, Thousands Affected

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Thousands of air and rail passengers faced travel chaos today as a strike by British Airways cabin crew and rail signal workers threatened to disrupt flights and train services nationwide. The collapse of talks between British Airways' chief executive Willie Walsh and Unite's joint leader Tony Woodley has led to a three-day strike, with further action expected from mid-April. Meanwhile, the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) raised the threat of Easter railway strikes after its signal members at Network Rail voted in favour of walkouts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 3,000 British Airways staff are due to walk out in a three-day strike, affecting flights mainly at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
  • The strike is part of a bitter row over cost-cutting measures, with Unite accusing BA of wanting a "war" with the union.
  • BA has tabled a new offer that reduces the amount of pay on offer, which Unite claims is an "absolute disgrace and an insult to our people".
  • Tens of thousands of BA customers are expected to be affected, with some passengers due to travel with other carriers on specially-chartered planes.
  • BA has arranged with over 60 other airlines to take their customers on their flights on the first strike days.
  • The airline plans to run 50% of its short-haul Gatwick services, 60% of its Heathrow long-haul services, and 30% of its Heathrow short-haul flights.
  • Picket lines will be mounted over the weekend at several entrances to Heathrow.
  • The Prime Minister has urged the strike to be called off immediately and for BA's management and workforce to get together to resolve the dispute.

Statistics:

  • 3,000 British Airways staff are due to walk out in a three-day strike.
  • 23 fully crewed planes leased from other companies will be used to handle flights during the strike.
  • BA expects to handle as many as 49,000 passengers on each of the first two planned strike days, compared to a normal weekend day in March figure of around 75,000.
  • The airline plans to run 50% of its short-haul Gatwick services, 60% of its Heathrow long-haul services, and 30% of its Heathrow short-haul flights.

Sources:

  • [The Telegraph]
  • [Press Association]
  • [Downing Street press release]

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