June 28 (Reuters) - British Airways, which has said it needs
to cut 12,000 jobs and proposed pay cuts for cabin crew, has
reached a deal with its pilots that will see 350 laid off and
another 300 put in a 'pool' for rehiring when needed, The Sun on
Sunday reported https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11972829/british-airways-close-deal-pilots.
Captains and first officers placed in the pool do not
currently have an aircraft to operate and will remain on
half-pay, the report said, while all other operating flight crew
will take a 15% pay cut.
Once 'pooled' pilots return, operating flight crew members
will get 7.5% of their deducted pay back, while the rest of the
pay cut will be lost, the report added.
The majority of pilots being 'pooled' will be Boeing 747
jumbo jet first officers.
British Airways, owned by International Consolidated
Airlines Group, which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia and
Vueling, said in an emailed statement that "constructive talks
are ongoing with (UK pilots union) BALPA to save as many jobs as
possible."
BALPA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reuters reported last week that British Airways has made a
proposal to its cabin crew on pay cuts. The airline plans to lay
off a quarter of its pilots.
Planes were grounded in March by lockdowns to curb the
coronavirus pandemic, tipping the industry into crisis.
(Reporting by Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Catherine
Evans)