The first strike in British Airways' history is paralyzing the international skies. From midnight on Monday until 23.59pm on Tuesday, 4.300 pilots from the main British company are participating in a strike or called by the BALPA union. The result is approx 300 thousand people left on the ground and hardships all over the world.
The protest comes after nine months of heated negotiations on wages. The pilots have asked for an adjustment to their salaries and greater clarity on their economic status from society. British Airways said it was ready to raise pilot wages by 11,5% in three years. However, the latter have argued that several times over the years the company has lied in order to push them to accept cuts in wages and contributions, even though it was not necessary. Not only that, according to Balpa, another fundamental problem would be the salaries of co-drivers and more junior profiles, too low especially when compared to training costs.
The British Prime Minister also intervened on the matter Boris Johnson trying, unsuccessfully, to restart the negotiations.
The strike is unique in the company's history and could cost it as much as 40 million pounds. Today, Monday 9 September, 850 of the company's flights have been cancelled and tomorrow just as many could be added. Not only. In the event that the parties fail to reach an agreement, the pilots are ready to strike again on 27 September.
