FAMILIES flying with British Airways and easyJet this summer could face travel disruption.
Staff working for both carriers are currently voting on strike action that could cause chaos in the coming months if they go ahead.
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British Airways pilots represented by British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) have today started balloting (voting) on whether or not to strike this summer after negotiations over pay stalled.
A spokesperson for BALPA told Sun Online Travel: “There has been no progress in our dispute with BA, in fact they have withdrawn their pay offer so there is nothing on the table for pilots.
“Therefore we’ve had no choice and today the industrial action ballot has been sent out.
“BALPA regrets the uncertainty for passengers and we will be doing everything we can to resolve this without disruption – but that depends on BA reciprocating.”
It’s not the only strike that could affect BA passengers.
Sun Online Travel previously reported that Unite and GMB trade union members working for BA were also in negotiations with the airline, although they are not at the balloting stage.
Unite told Sun Online Travel that “discussions are ongoing and no decision on a ballot has been taken yet” while GMB has yet to respond.
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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 could also facing strike action this summer.
Check-in staff employed by Stobart, who work for easyJet at Stansted Airport, 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.
Unite regional officer Mark Barter previously claimed 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.
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 GMB for comment.
