Strike threat as unions reject BA deal
Updated: 10:06 EST, 12 January 2007
Leaders of check-in staff and baggage handlers at British Airways today rejected a proposed deal to tackle the airline's huge pension deficit and warned of possible industrial action.
Shop stewards belonging to the GMB union voted unanimously to turn down the proposed agreement.
The union said it will now ballot thousands of its members at BA with a recommendation to reject the pensions offer. Workers will also be asked if they want to take industrial action.
The union said it was unhappy with the proposed deal, which included a later retirement age and increased contributions in return for BA making a one-off payment of £800m to tackle the £2.1bn pensions deficit.
Ed Blissett, national officer of the GMB, said: 'We are extremely angry and disappointed that the lowest paid workers at BA are being disadvantaged by this final offer in comparison to the highest paid, the pilots.'
Earlier today, leaders of the British Airline Pilots Association recommended acceptance of the deal.
Two other unions representing BA workers will also be consulting their members on whether to accept the proposed agreement.