News: BMI pilots vote to back walk-out
Flights > News > # 935 (31/08/2006)
Thousands of BMI passengers face potential disruption in September after BMI pilots voted to strike as part of row over pay reforms and work conditions.
89% of BMI’s pilots backed industrial action if an agreement is not reached between unions and the airline. The ballot comes a week after pilots at BMI’s budget offshoot BmiBaby also supported a walk-out. Pilots claim the airline has imposed a number of decisions on pay, pensions and flying rotas without consultation, but BMI, the second largest base airline at London Heathrow airport, insist they are keen to stage talks.
Jim McAuslan, the general secretary of the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), said he was optimistic that industrial action would not be necessary.
"We're keeping our options open at present. We hope that we don't need to have a strike and, in fact, talks can make progress, But if there were to be a strike, it could be a one-day strike or a series of one-day strikes depending on what we believe will best persuade management that they really need to change their ways," Mr McAuslan said.
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