Cabin crew at British Airways, Europe's third largest airline, have voted in favor of a pay and pensions deal.
Members of the Trade and General Workers Unions voted three to one in favor of the deal, worth 18.75% in pensionable pay. The deal means that 11,000 workers also accepted changes to the airline’s GBP2.1 billion pension scheme deficit.
However, the resolution of the pay related issues did not come without a fight. Back in January, 96% of workers voted in favor of strike action after union members felt BA’s proposal to cut its pension deficit was unfair.
Members were also disgruntled about a new sick pay rule – introduced over 18 months ago by BA to help reduce the average sick pay leave from 22 days – which they claimed forced staff to work when they were ill. Since voting in favor of the new deal, the union has said, as well as the pensions, sick leave will also be treated differently.