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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Julie Delahaye

British Airways workers call off Heathrow strike as airline agrees pay deal

Hundreds of British Airways workers voted on Friday to call off strike action after accepting a pay offer.

British Airways said in a statement that it is "delighted with this positive news".

75% of members of the GMB Union backed the deal, which included a pay rise, a one-off bonus and the reinstatement of shift pay.

“No one wanted a summer strike at Heathrow, but our members had to fight for what was right," Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said in a statement.

"This improved pay deal came because of their efforts. Now these mainly women workers have won pay improvements for themselves – as well as forcing BA to make this offer to the rest of their staff too.

“Our members stood up for themselves and fought for what they were owed. “These are frontline workers facing harassment and abuse from customers daily. The least they deserved is fair pay.”

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British Airways staff at Heathrow have called off strikes planned for summer (AFP via Getty Images)

It's not the only industrial action to have been called off in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, British Airways check-in staff at Heathrow suspended a strike after the airline agreed to improve its pay offer, which union Unite described at the time as "vastly" improved.

British Airways is one of many airlines facing disruption this summer, as staff shortages and a surge of demand from holidaymakers have left the aviation industry struggling to cope.

Earlier this week, BA contacted passengers set to fly before July 25 asking them if they'd reschedule their flights free of charge.

Travel expert Paul Charles, who runs consultancy the PC Agency, shared an email from BA to customers.

It asked passengers travelling in the next fortnight if they would like to reschedule their flights for free, and that they could change their trip to another BA-operated flight within the next 12 months, subject to availability.

Airports and airlines have been struggling with flight delays, cancellations and long queues, leaving holidaymakers facing chaotic scenes during peak travel periods.

The Mirror spoke to one airport worker - who is not associated with British Airways - about the ongoing disruption.

They revealed some of their tips for passengers looking to avoid disruption, and urged Brits to check vital documents and their luggage allowance before heading to the airport.

"It's a cause of the delays," the worker told the Mirror. "People kick off at us, primarily because they don't have their Covid tests and vaccine certificates ready.

"When they haven't got what they need, it's always our fault, but it's their responsibility.

"It would be nice if they could be a bit more understanding. It's not our fault."

Have you been affected by the travel chaos? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com.

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