Pilots’ union staff planning strike
August 6, 2008
Workers employed by the trade union that represents airline pilots is set to stage a day-long strike after talks over a pending pensions’ dispute collapsed. GMB union members of the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) are upset with changes made to their final salary pension scheme.
About 33 GMB members, who currently work at Balpa offices based in West Drayton, near Heathrow, voted by 85 per cent for the day-long strike action. Balpa stated it was ‘disappointed’ after coming up with an improved offer.
The union added it was facing a wide pension deficit of £4.6m and was trying to suggest changes for tackling the problem. The final salary scheme would not be open to new members, whereas new entrants would be asked to join a defined contribution scheme. Also, the pension age would go up from 60 to 65. Conciliation talks that were brokered by the TUC failed to break the deadlock.
Dave Kent, a GMB organiser, stated: “There is no economic justification for these changes, since Balpa is one of the most successful, financially robust trade unions in the UK. No employer should impose changes to employment terms and conditions without the agreement of its own staff.”
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