British Airways seeking court injunction to halt strike action by pilots

British Airways is to seek a court injunction on Tuesday to halt industrial action by its pilots in a dispute over pay.

Members of the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) voted by more than 9-1 to launch a campaign of action which would cause chaos to summer flights.

Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said: “This strong result demonstrates the resolve of BA pilots, and shows BA that it must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted.

“Sadly three days of Acas talks have not moved the company’s position one iota. Settlement of this dispute is in BA’s hands.

“We do not wish to inconvenience our customers which is why we have tried to resolve this matter through negotiation starting last November – it is BA who has regrettably chosen to drag this out into the summer months.”

BA said its offer to pilots was worth 11.5% over three years, adding: “We are very disappointed that Balpa has chosen to threaten the travel plans of thousands of our customers, over the summer holidays, with possible strike action.

“We remain open to working with Balpa to reach an agreement, which we have been doing since December.

“Our proposed pay offer of 11.5% over three years is fair, and by contrast to Balpa the Unite and GMB trade unions, which represent nearly 90% of all British Airways colleagues, have already recommended the same pay offer to their members.”

Meanwhile, Unite announced that over 90 firefighters and fire and rescue staff at Heathrow have voted for strike action in a separate dispute over pay.

They will join over 4,000 Heathrow workers in strikes planned during August.