A strike by British Airways workers which could have seen more chaos at the airline have been called off.
Members of union Unite were due to walkout this autumn because of a dispute over annual leave. Engineers at the UK's flag carrier are to have what Unite calls "stolen" holiday days returned to them, it was announced this afternoon.
Unionised workers at BA were gearing up for industrial action after three days of annual leave that was struck from their allowance during the pandemic was not reinstated, Unite has claimed.
The strike has now been averted after the leave entitlement was resorted.
The workers maintain the airline's 280-plane fleet including aircraft at Heathrow and Gatwick, so the walkouts could have created chaotic scenes for the airline.
"The move is another victory in Unite’s campaign to return British Airways’ workers' terms and conditions to their pre-pandemic level," Unite said in a statement. Had it gone ahead, a strike would have caused massive disruption to the airline."
The union claimed that only BA engineers lost their holiday entitlements, while other workers including senior staff remained at pre-pandemic levels.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is another deserved victory for Unite at British Airways. Our members at BA are absolutely determined that the employer gives back what it took from the workforce.
"So far, we’ve restored wages, and today Unite is pleased to say that the holiday days taken from the engineers will be rightfully returned.
“The determination of our reps and members to stand firm and to take strike action if needs be certainly helped bring about this positive resolution.”
It's not the only British Airways strike action to have been called off this summer.
A total of 700 workers - mostly check-in staff - had been set for industrial during the summer over a 10% pay cut imposed during the pandemic. However, these were called off when the dispute was resolved and an 8% pay rise was accepted.
At the time, a spokesperson for British Airways said the company was "delighted with this positive news".
BA has been contacted for comment regarding the cancelled Unite action.
