(Alliance News) - FTSE 250-listed easyJet PLC pilots have called for a vote of no confidence in the airline's Chief Operating Officer Peter Bellew, saying morale has "collapsed", British Airline Pilots Association said on Monday.
The move follows the budget airline's notification of 727 UK pilot redundancies and that easyJet would be closing their bases at Newcastle, Southend and Stansted.
BALPA said pilots have demanded a "vote of no confidence" in COO Bellew, who joined easyJet in January from Irish budget airline Ryanair Holdings PLC.
BALPA, which represents over 90% of easyJet pilots, will therefore be carrying out a secret ballot this week closing at noon on Friday.
"This is an unusual if not unique step for BALPA to take as we prefer to do our business around the negotiating table but pilot morale in easyJet has collapsed and we’ve been inundated with calls for a vote of no confidence in Bellew," BALPA General Secretary Brian Strutton, said.
"I think easyJet is in a serious industrial relations mess and needs to start winning the hearts and minds of its pilots and other staff before it's too late," added Strutton.
easyJet shares closed 0.1% lower on Monday at 663.40 pence each in London.
By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com
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