BA strike averted as Unite hails ‘victory’ over holidays

A strike by British Airways engineers about holiday allowances has been averted, according to Unite the union.

A statement from the union said the 2,000 engineers will have their “stolen” holiday days returned.

The staff had been preparing to take strike action to return the three days of annual leave that had been taken from them by the airline but talks have resolved the dispute.

The union said the walkout would have caused “massive disruption” to the airline.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is another deserved victory for Unite at British Airways. Our members at BA are absolutely determined that the employer gives back what it took from the workforce.

“So far, we’ve restored wages, and today Unite is pleased to say that the holiday days taken from the engineers will be rightfully returned.”

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Joe McGowan, Unite regional officer responsible for the BA engineers, added: “Back in 2020, BA took a sledgehammer to our members’ terms and conditions. Taking these holiday days from the engineers was unwarranted and Unite was always going to challenge this attack.

“The members and reps are delighted with the progress made but stay determined to do whatever it takes to win back the remaining items forced through by BA in 2020.”

The union said only the engineers lost holiday entitlement, leaving them with fewer holidays than other workers at the airline.

The engineering staff maintain and service BA’s entire fleet of 280 aircraft based at Heathrow, Gatwick, the maintenance and overhaul facility at Glasgow airport, and at line stations across the UK and Ireland.