BA staff 'nowhere near' strike over pay

British Airways and unions dismissed reports today that air passengers could be facing a summer of walkouts over a pay dispute.

The Transport and General Workers Union said it was “nowhere near” strike action in its continuing talks with the airline.

Management and staff are negotiating the latest pay settlement and there had been reported fears of industrial action if it ended in deadlock.

But a T&G spokesman said: “Talks are ongoing and there is no resolution in the sense that we have not, as yet, got an agreement.

“BA’s target of £650m (€971.8m) savings a year has been exceeded by £219m (€327m). We believe this is a good context in which the pay talks can take place.

“But this is part of the negotiating process and we are nowhere near strike action. That is very wide of the mark.”

A spokesman for BA “concurred” with the union’s comments but would not say what stage the pay talks were at.

It is understood BA has previously tabled an offer of five per cent over three years with a one per cent rise now and two per cent next year and in 2006.

A wildcat walkout by BA check-in staff at Heathrow last July cost Britain’s flag carrier an estimated £40m (€59.8m).

The action, over the proposed introduction of swipe cards, affected around 100,000 passengers at one of the world’s busiest airports.