Brits’ summer holiday plans could be ruined as staff for British Airways and easyJet to vote on strike action
BRITS could face travel chaos this summer if flying with British Airways or easyJet as staff working both airlines are voting on strike action.
BA pilots and easyJet check-in staff at Stansted have warned that the strikes could cause disruption this summer for passengers if they go ahead.
British Airways passengers could be hit by a strike from pilots, crew and ground staff due to a disagreement over pay.
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), Unite and the GMB trade union have joined forces against the airline after talks collapsed following the dispute.
British Airways offered a 11.5 per cent increase over three years, which is above inflation, which they have rejected.
According to , the three unions combined represent 40,000 British Airways staff, potentially crippling flights, although Unite and GMB have yet to vote to strike.
BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, told Sun Online Travel: "All three unions have been working for the benefit of their respective members. Given we collectively represent some 40,000 employees, this is something that British Airways should pay careful attention to.
"For the pilots that BALPA represents, it is quite simple: BA has been enormously profitable, and the employees should have a fair share of that success which, after all, they produce for the company."
A Unite spokesperson added: "Unite reps will be having further discussions with BA and meeting in the coming days to discuss their next steps. These next steps could include a consultative ballot on any revised pay offer, or a ballot for industrial action."
With the vote to strike starting next week on June 26, and closing on July 22, it could result in a full walkout, affecting Brits during the busy summer holidays.
A British Airways spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: "We are extremely disappointed that the pilots' union, BALPA, has raised the prospect of a ballot for industrial action.
"We urge them to join us for mediation with the conciliation service ACAS, to reach an agreement and protect hard-working families planning their summer breaks.
"We believe our pay and benefits for pilots are among the best in the industry, with around 1,000 applications from pilots who want to move to us from other airlines every year."
FLIGHT FIGHT How to claim compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled
easyJet are also facing strike action with check-in staff at Stansted Airport this summer.
Workers have until July 2 to vote on whether to strike over pay conditions.
Unite represent 38 agents employed by Stobart who work with easyJet at the airport, with Unite regional officer Mark Barter claiming the walkout will cause "severe disruption" for passengers.
He added: "A major bone of contention is that, while workers employed by other companies at Stansted are being paid up to 20 per cent more for doing the same job, our Stobart members work unpaid overtime, experience staffing issues and lack of basics, such as drinking water during their long shifts.
"Stobart has now contacted Unite to discuss the outstanding issues at a meeting on Thursday (20 June), so it is hoped that we can resolve the dispute without taking industrial action.
"Any strike would hit easyJet’s profit margins in a competitive marketplace with passengers seeking alternative travel arrangements to avoid potential travel chaos at Stansted."
However, easyJet claim passengers will not be affected even if the strike does go ahead.
A spokesperson for the airline told Sun Online Travel: "EasyJet is aware of the proposed ballot on industrial action by Unite for check in staff at London Stansted Airport.
"If industrial action is confirmed we will have contingency plans in place so that there would be no impact on our passengers."
Will I get my money back if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
If your flight is cancelled, you have the legal right to either a full refund within seven days or a replacement flight to your destination.
This applies for whatever reason your flight was cancelled or how long before you were told it would no longer be be flying.
If your flight is delayed by three hours or more and you were flying to or from a European airport, or with an EU-based airline such as Ryanair or British Airways.
Then you can claim compensation up to €250 (£229) for short-haul flights and €400 (£367) for mid-haul flights and €600 (£530) for long-haul flights.
But the airline might not payout if it's out of their control, for example, due to bad weather or strikes.
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Last month, easyJet and Alitalia were forced to cancel flights following strike action across Italy.
Earlier this month, Luton Airport staff also went on strike with security staff walking out for 49 days.
Sun Online Travel has also contacted Unite and GMB for comment.