7000 BA staff agree to take pay cut; Move could save airline up to pounds 10m.Byline: Alan Jones Alan Jones is the name of:
ALMOST 7000 British Airways British Airways in full British Airways PLC International passenger airline based in London. In 1936 British Airways Ltd. was founded through the merger of three smaller airlines. workers will take voluntary pay cuts. And 800 will work unpaid for up to a month. Of the 40,000-strong staff, 6940 volunteered for unpaid leave, part-time working or unpaid work by Wednesday. The company say it will save them up to pounds 10million. Chief executive Willie Walsh Willie Walsh (born in 1961) is an Irish airline executive. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of British Airways and is a former Chief Executive of Aer Lingus Early life Walsh was born in Dublin, Ireland. He attended his local secondary school Ardscoil Rís. , who has announced that he will work unpaid next month, said: "This is a fantastic first response. "I want to thank everyone who has volunteered to help us pull through this difficult period. This response clearly shows the significant difference individuals can make." Slash Options offered to staff included volunteering for one to four weeks' unpaid leave or unpaid work, with the pay deduction spread over up to six months. Staff who offer to work unpaid will still receive shift allowances and other payments but forego basic pay. BA said around 4000 staff volunteered for unpaid leave, 1400 will switch to part-time work and 800 put their names forward for unpaid work. The airline were looking to slash costs as part of their survival plan after an annual loss of pounds 400million. About 2500 jobs have been cut since last summer and the airline want to shed another 3000. Talks are being held with unions to agree a pay and jobs package. Mick Rix, of the GMB GMB (in Britain) General, Municipal and Boilermakers (Trade Union) union, reacted with anger to the release of the news while negotiations were continuing He said staff had been influenced by BA's "scaremongering tactics". Union leaders had asked BA earlier this week for information about how many staff had volunteered but were told it would take some time to collate col·late tr.v. col·lat·ed, col·lat·ing, col·lates 1. To examine and compare carefully in order to note points of disagreement. 2. To assemble in proper numerical or logical sequence. 3. the information. Rix said: "I find it disgusting that the company can make the announcement today. "We are locked into negotiations on making significant financial savings but BA seem only interested in making headlines, rather than reaching an acceptable deal. "This irresponsible behaviour could lead to the negotiations unravelling and put us back to square one." Unite's Brian Boyd added: "The fact that less than two per cent of BA's workforce chose to work unpaid shows there is no real support." CAPTION(S): CRISIS: BA have drawn up a survival plan |
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