British Airway ‘Poverty Pay’ Strikes- DAY 2

by Leah Wood

As today draws to an end so does day two of the British Airways strikes. Three planned days of action started yesterday as part of protests against ‘poverty pay’.

Unite, Britain’s largest union, claims the crews are being underpaid, have to work second jobs and can’t afford to be ill.

Since 2010, all new British Airways cabin crew employees were part of the ‘mixed fleet’ system where they work on both short and long-haul flights. Despite promises that pay would be 10 per cent above the market rate, basic pay starts at just £12,192 with £3 an hour flying pay.

Unite estimates that on average ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew earn £16,000, including allowances, a year.

A British Airways hostess who prefers not to be named works at Gatwick Airport, she thinks the crew is right to stand up for themselves, she said: “I definitely agree with the strikes, they are on different contract to us so personally I wouldn’t strike myself, but they get paid so badly it’s not fair at all when we all do the same job.

“My friend works there and it’s barely enough money to live on. I don’t really know much else about it but my friends up there have said they just get completely different treatment and it’s just not fair.”

Members of Unite in the mixed fleet crew mounted picket lines at Heathrow Airport during yesterdays strike action.

There is a strong support system from the public and airport workers with chancellor John McDonnell MP and shadow business secretary Clive Lewis MP joining the campaign.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said British Airways shouldn’t doubt their determination, he said:

“British Airways should be under no illusion about their determination to see movement on poverty pay. Mixed fleet cabin crew work tirelessly for pennies to provide a world class service and play a vital role in making British Airways a success.

“It was fantastic to see such strong support for our members. Their courage and spirit in their fight for decent pay is undimmed despite the shamefully confrontational stance of British Airways.”

British Airways has responded to the strikes by saying its pay offer for mixed fleet crew was consistent with deals agreed with Unite for other British Airways workers.