British Airways workers throw out pay offer

British Airways is battling to stave off airport strikes this summer after unions "overwhelmingly" rejected cost-saving measures put forward by its management.

The flag carrier had called for 3,700 job cuts before talks broke down last month, in addition to pay freezes for two years and a radical re-think of working conditions.

It claimed the measures were necessary to keep the business viable, but workers have now labelled the move an "assault" on their pay and hinted at industrial action.

Some 2,000 BA workers met at Kempton Park racecourse on Sunday (July 6) to discuss the final offer put before them when BA walked away from talks last month.

Despite acknowledging the carrier's dire financial situation, Unite members slammed the cost-cutting drive as "an opportunistic use of the recession" and voted almost unanimously against it.

The union reiterated that it would consider a two-year freeze on pay – saving the company up to £130 million – but insisted that BA's demand for compulsory job cuts is unacceptable. It has also rejected calls to reduce starting salaries for cabin crew to £11,000.

A spokesman explained: "The management say this is what easyJet staff get paid, but British Airways is a premier airline and customers ... expect premier customer service."

Both sides have agreed to a hold a final round of talks tomorrow (July 8) under the auspices of the conciliation service Acas. If they fail to reach a resolution, workers could be balloted to strike.

For holidaymakers, however, the advice is not to alter summer travel plans. Analysts note that a strike organised by cabin crew in 2007 was called off at the last minute, and both BA and the unions have previously been accused of posturing in order to win concessions.

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