BA threatens to withdraw travel perks from strikers

Published on Friday 19 March 2010 21:51

CABIN crew taking part in the British Airways strikes face losing lucrative travel perks for life.

The concessions allow staff to get 90 per cent off the full fare of any flight, although staff are always on stand-by for these trips and can be "bumped off" flights if they are full. Married employees can also take members of their family with them at the same rate, while single workers can choose two other people to accompany them.

Some senior staff also receive a free trip anywhere in the world every year.

The travel concessions are seen as non-contractual perks granted by the airline, and BA management has now decided to withdraw them for those taking industrial action.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said: "That was an adult statement made to adult employees. We said we will not continue to provide perks to people who are prepared to inflict damage to our business."

A similar threat was made during the last official strike at BA, in 1997, in which cabin crew walked out for three days. However, this was overturned as part of a deal with the Transport and General Workers union – one of Unite's predecessors – to end the dispute over cost cuts.

The airline lifted a series of sanctions, which included the withdrawal of travel privileges that had been imposed on the hundreds of workers who took part in the strike.