Tour operator faces strike over pay

Published on Saturday 23 May 2009 18:59

TOUR operator Monarch faces strike action at the height of the holiday season as civil aviation union Unite prepares to ballot more than 600 cabin crew members over pay.

The union yesterday said that a ballot would be held in July which could see staff walk out at sites across the country.

Unite's national officer for aviation Brian Boyd said: "Monarch faces the prospect of a crippling strike at the height of the holiday season."

The union wants the airline to pay a lump sum to its members instead of a pay rise, which it says they are prepared to defer until next year. It also wants the airline to pay cabin crew an extra allowance while they are in the air.

Boyd said: "The requests are reasonable and are in line with similar negotiations with other industry operators."

A spokesman for the company said: "Given the current economic situation, pay increases and additional benefits for employees are unachievable at the present time.

"Monarch continues to work with the cabin crew trade union to resolve this matter."