NEWS from BALPA
British Airline Pilots’ Association
Wednesday 6th September 2006
PILOT STRIKE AT bmi baby OFF: AGREEMENT REACHED
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) last night reached an agreement with the management of bmi baby, the low frills division of airline BMI with whom the union has been in dispute. Strike action will not now take place.
The agreement has been signed by bmi baby and BALPA and is now going to pilots in bmi baby for ratification. It goes with the recommendation to accept from BALPA’s bmi baby company council of elected bmi baby pilots.
Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of BALPA, said: ‘We had intense negotiations over seven days and we made substantial progress. The agreement doesn’t undo the imposed 2006 pay rise but generates far better lifestyle options for pilots in what is a very intensive industry.
‘In talks across all three BMI divisions we have also made progress on better understanding the reasons for the mutual distrust that pervades relationships between management and pilots - and on how we tackle the forthcoming pay round.’
Negotiations with BMI on disputes within two other divisions, BMI Mainline and BMI Regional, continued. Jim McAuslan added: ‘If the same creativity and intelligence is applied to those talks as we have been able to generate in bmi baby then we will be better able to find a way through.’
For further information contact Keith Bill or David Lloyd on 020 7924 7555 or mobile (KB) 07788 528 527