British Airways and its pilots’ union, BALPA, are on the verge of revealing a pay deal with bonuses included for a three-and-a-half-year period based on the profits made in the future by the airline.
The long-term pay deal is aimed at curbing any renewed threats of strike action until 2027.
Sky News has learned that International Airlines Group subsidiary BA was putting the finishing touches on a deal with the airline pilots’ union, BALPA, on Thursday morning.
The three-and-a-half-year pact, which has been the subject of months of negotiations, was anticipated to win the support of BALPA, which would then put the idea to a vote among its members.
According to one source, the agreement should be announced later on Thursday.
According to the deal, BA pilots will receive a 4% salary increase this year, retroactive to June, as well as further raises of 1.5% in December, 2.5% in June of next year, and a further 2% after that.
Following that, there will be increases of 0.5% in March 2025, 2.5% in June of that year, and a further 2.5% in June 2026.
According to a person familiar with the negotiations, pilots will also get a one-time payment of £1,000 in November.
Additionally, they will take part in a new compensation plan based on BA’s operating profit performance, which might result in bonuses of thousands of pounds.
In January 2027, there will be another pay review for pilots.
The BALPA agreement was reached just a few weeks after unions representing around 24,000 additional BA employees successfully negotiated a 13% pay hike spread over 18 months.
A BA spokesperson stated: “We are pleased that we have now reached an agreement in principle for the pilot pay award 2023–27.
“BALPA will now ballot its members on the agreement in principle.”
“The pay offer builds on a number of pay and reward changes made in 2022 to support colleagues throughout the business at a time of ongoing cost of living pressures.”
BALPA conveyed to Sky News: “No deal has been signed.”
- Published By Team Timeswire