If I may put some figures on this BA proposal, it might help make comparisons with the situation in the USA more understandable. Amongst other money saving plans, BA is requesting staff consider working for free, for one month, with the money being taken in installments over six months, rather than over one month.
In other words, an 8.4% pay cut over the year.
The individual employee would see a 16.7% reduction in pay for six months, then an automatic snap-back to normal salary levels. Crucially, pension entitlements remain untouched.
For BA pilots, flying 900 hours per year, in dollar terms, it means this:
- Sen Capt....B744...(Year 24)....$251,500 pa... $280 ph down to $234 ph.
- New Capt...B777...(Year 15)....$191,100 pa... $210 ph down to $177 ph.
- Sen F/O.....B777...(Year 14)....$150,200 pa... $165 ph down to $139 ph.
- New F/O.....A320...(Year 1).......$95,100 pa... $105 ph down to $ 88 ph.
The PR side of this proposal could have been better handled, however, compared to what's happened to pilots' salaries in the USA over the last few years, I wouldn't say it is too bad.
If that's what it takes to keep the airline afloat, I've little doubt the pilots will go for it, or something like it. Wouldn't you?
Best Regards
Bellerophon