British Airways Loses Pilot Strike Court Appeal; in Talks With Union
July 31, 2019 8:59 am ET
By Anthony O. Goriainoff
British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG.LN) said Wednesday that it was disappointed by the court ruling rejecting its appeal over a strike by its pilots, saying it's pursuing every avenue to avoid a walkout.
Earlier Wednesday the U.K.'s High Court ruled in favor of the pilot's union Balpa.
British Airways sought a temporary injunction last week to stop mass walkouts after Balpa voted in favor of strike action over pay.
The airline said its pay deal--which proposes an 11.5% rise over three years--is fair and has been accepted by members of the Unite and GMB trade unions, which together represent almost 90% of all British Airways employees.
The British national carrier said the union hasn't yet issued any strike dates as it is required to give 14 days' notice.
"We are disappointed that the pilots' union, Balpa, has chosen to threaten the holidays of thousands of our customers this summer with unprecedented strike action," the airline said.
Balpa General Secretary Brian Strutton said the union wants to resolve this matter through negotiation and has sought further talks with BA which have been accepted. It said the union and BA will hold talks Wednesday and throughout this week at reconciliation company ACAS to try and resolve the dispute.
IAG shares at 1240 GMT were up 13 pence, or 3%, at 427.60 pence.
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