BALPA announces dates for September strikes by British Airways pilots

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has announced the dates for September strikes by British Airways pilots. The union has given a notice to British Airways today informing that it will call on its members to strike on 9th, 10th and 27th September 2019.

The decision has been taken with a 93 percent vote in favor of taking the industrial action.

The union said British Airways did not accept any of the packages put forward by BALPA over several days of ACAS talks. It said the packages "would have resolved this dispute without a strike, and which we could have recommended to our members for acceptance prior to strike action."

BALPA further added, "It is clear following discussions with members over the last few days that BA's most recent offer will not gain the support of anywhere near a majority of its pilots.

"British Airways is an extremely profitable and successful company, and pilots have been proud to play their part in that.

"In 2018 the company announced profits of £2 billion. Over recent years BA pilots have made sacrifice after sacrifice to assist the company such as taking a pay cut, productivity increases, closing the final salary pension scheme, giving up annual leave days, a new rostering system, and reducing flying pay.

"In what is British Airways' centenary year, this will be the very first time its pilots will go on strike. They do so as a last resort and with enormous frustration at the way the business is now being run.

"Our proposal remains on the table should BA wish to reach an agreement prior to strike action. Our ballot is valid until January, and more dates may be announced until such time as this matter is resolved."