British Airways pilots blasted as ‘breathtakingly greedy’ over strike plans for having to ‘share’ secret bonus
BRITISH Airways pilots have been accused of “greed” by cabin crew.
The accusation comes amid plans for a summer strike, which will cause travel agony for millions.
Judges at the Court of Appeal will rule later whether pilots can carry out the planned industrial action.
British Airways cockpit staff voted to ground jets after being forced to share a secret bonus scheme they’d enjoyed for nine years.
The bonus scheme is about to be split across airline staff.
Pilots say that despite an offer of a 11.5% pay rise, they will effectively face a 2% cut.
A frustrated negotiator said the pilots union Balpa 'is claiming their strike is over pay, but it’s all about the bonus scheme'.
A senior airline source told The Sun: “The pilots are going to strike because a secret bonus scheme that has boosted their bulging pay packets is now being shared across the airline.”
“They are showing breathtaking greed and arrogance in downing tools over sharing the extra profits they have helped themselves to for nine years.
“It is a kick in the face to their cabin crew colleagues who had no idea the well-paid pilots were topping up their fat salaries.”
The airline went to the Court of Appeal in a last-minute bid to stop the walkout and judges will deliver a verdict at 10.30am on Wednesday.
No dates have been set for the industrial action, but sources say walkouts could begin within two weeks.
BA’s 4,000 pilots fly around 145,000 passengers each day across the globe.
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