British Airways (BA) awarded senior staff share options of almost £3m during last month’s industrial action.
The awards – part of BA’s performance share plan – can be exercised only if the seven senior executives involved hit their performance targets, the Times has reported.
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Chief financial officer Keith Williams was awarded share options of £812,807, on top of his £440,000 basic salary. Director of people and organisational effectiveness Tony McCarthy was awarded £461,822 worth of options, and acting customer director Drusilla Maizey was awarded £266,280. McCarthy and Maizey have been key BA representatives during recent negotiations with trade union Unite. Chief executive Willie Walsh has not received a bonus for the past three years.
last week, CBI director-general Richard Lambert said executives risked being viewed as “aliens” as the pay gap between senior staff and ‘rank and file’ workers widened.