British Airways passengers face massive delays as strike looms – after days of travel chaos across the UK
BRITISH Airways passengers face massive delays as staff have threatened to strike - sparking fears of summer holiday chaos.
It comes as travellers have been hit with 'carnage' at airports over the past few days with cancelled flights and long queues.
Travellers were forced to queue for five hours after sleeping on the floor.
BA passengers have now been warned of major delays next week ahead of industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Unite, the trade union, say check-in staff have missed out on pay rises and even though the airline has restored the management pay to pre-pandemic levels, it refuses to reverse a 10 per cent pay cut that was imposed during Covid.
The ballot that includes 500 staff, is expected to be open between June 7 and 27.
Should workers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes are expected to occur in July, causing major disruptions for travellers during the summer holidays.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “British Airways used the cover of Covid to brutally cut members’ pay.
"BA has now reversed the pay cuts imposed on management but refuses to do this for our members.
"This is disgraceful. Unite will not allow our members to be treated as a second-class workforce.
“Our members are rightly furious and ready to take action. A strike by our members will make an immediate impact on the service to customers so I urge BA to get a grip and restore these workers’ pay immediately.
“Unite will be giving its members the union’s complete support until this dispute is resolved.”
Unite regional officer Russ Ball said: “British Airways has had every opportunity to resolve this dispute through negotiations but has decided not to do so.
";Our members are therefore balloting for industrial action as a last resort.
“Strike action and the accompanying disruption can be avoided by BA returning to negotiations and restoring our members’ pay rates to pre-pandemic levels.”
It comes as hundreds of holidaymakers had their plans ruined over the weekend with eight-hour waits at airports and flights scrapped over text.
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Passengers compared Bristol Airport to a "zoo" this weekend while those in Manchester reportedly waited four hours for a pilot to show up.
Earlier this month staff threatened with pay strikes as BA axed hundreds of flights, ahead of the holiday season.
What rights do travellers have?
Why are airports overrun?
Staff shortages are thought to lie at the heart of the crisis. Unions say thousands of airport workers were made redundant during the pandemic and not replaced.
When will it be resolved?
Airports insist they have been recruiting new staff but workers require training and security vetting before they are allowed to start, and that may take months.
How long are the delays?
Passengers are reporting queues of up to four hours at the worst-affected airports such as Manchester.
What should I do?
Airports advise passengers to continue arriving for their flights three hours in advance. They urge travellers not to arrive earlier amid fears it will add to overcrowding.
Can I get a refund if I miss my flight because of airport security queues?
Probably not. Which? says queues at security are the responsibility of the airport. No large UK airport has a policy to compensate travellers missing flights because of long security queues.
What about queues at the airline check-in desk?
If you have arrived at the airport at the time you were instructed and miss your flight because of check-in or bag drop queues you may be able to claim under the consumer rights act. This may involve a court case.
Can I claim if queues cause me to miss flight?
It depends on your travel insurance policy. To make a claim, it will be crucial to provide evidence you arrived at the time advised by the airport, or airline.
What if I’m about to miss a flight because of queues?
Let someone know. Most airports will bring you to the front of the queue if your flight is due to depart.
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