British Airways pilots are to vote on a deal struck between the Balpa union and airline management that would involve at least 270 of them losing their jobs.
BALPA, the pilots union, said the new deal is the “best that can be achieved in the circumstances” as it battles to avoid 1255 job losses. The members have until next Thursday to vote.
The bizarre situation means pilots are voting on whether to potentially make themselves or colleagues redundant.
Brian Strutton, Balpa’s general secretary, said: “It is hugely disappointing that during our extensive negotiations British Airways would not accept the full package of mitigations we put forward which would have avoided any job losses at all, and at no cost to BA.
"As a result there will be some compulsory redundancies amongst the pilot community and that is a matter of huge regret. Given BA’s intransigence we have put together the best package we can to save as many jobs as possible."
BA parent IAG said it “welcomed” the news BALPA “intends to hold a consultative ballot on the proposed restructuring and redundancy agreement reached between the union and the airline”.
Under the deal, pilots who are not made redundant will see their pay slashed by 20%.
Global curbs imposed to fight the pandemic have slammed air travel, placing the future of many airline companies in doubt.
