British Airways to furlough 28,000 with 80 per cent of wages paid as airline battles to survive
BRITISH Airways is to furlough 28,000 staff after ten days of intense talks with union bosses.
But critically, in a triumph for negotiators, no staff will lose their jobs.
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Cabin crew, ground staff and engineers will get up to 80 per cent of wages paid in a "modified" version of the government's job retention scheme, according to Unite.
This figure will go up to 100 per cent of staff at Gatwick and London City airports, where BA is no longer operating until the coronavirus crisis eases.
Suspensions are to be shared, with staff working, for example, six weeks off and two weeks on, depending on their area.
Union negotiations have been trying to persuade BA to pay 80 per cent of wages and shift pay, up to £2,500 gross pay per month.
Talks were continuing last night with a final deal expected to be signed off late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Officials have been fighting with airline bosses to agree that pension contributions from staff and the airline can be taken as salary during the period.
Staff will have up to April 15 to decide on finalised options.
Critical workers not furloughed, such as call centre staff and those involved in live operations, will remain on full pay.
The Unite union hammered out a deal with BA on the future of its staff, with the GMB union agreeing to back the deal.
Both the long serving World Wide fleet, and newer Mixed Fleet cabin crews are in on the same deal.
Last night a source told The Sun: “Negotiations have been tough but there is an acknowledgement at BA and the union that these are unprecedented times.
“Both sides are doing what they can for their loyal staff and members while ensuring that the airline survives.”
'BATTLE TO SURVIVE'
BA has been inviting crew to apply to work on flights repatriating Brits stranded abroad.
BA’s pilots agreed a separate deal in which they are not paid for two weeks in both April and May pay packets.
But the financial hit has been spread across three months.
Boss Alex Cruz told publicly how the airline faces a “battle to survive”.
It had been feared that BA might have used coronavirus to be opportunistic in its desire to try to drive down costs in many areas.
With a number of airlines including easyJet having grounded its fleet, BA is scooping up the majority of the government’s £75m fee to repatriate Brits stranded across the globe.
BA crew were celebrating earlier this week after finally winning approval to wear masks during flights.
Despite other airline staff being given full protective suits, BA crew were told to make do with normal uniform.
Letters of complaint about their treatment had been sent to BA’s crew boss Amy James.
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There has been mounting anger about flights bringing passengers into the UK facing no health checks. But BA staff landing overseas are subjected to swabs for Covid-19.
BA has been parking its fleet of Airbus A380s in storage as routes dry up.
BA said: "Talks continue." Airline bosses are putting together official communications for staff.
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