BA’s
pilots have voted to accept a new pay deal, negotiated with the British Air
Line Pilots’ Association (BALPA).
BALPA
deputy general secretary Graham Fowler said the deal is excellent: "It
puts BA pilots in the top league with the best of their European
counterparts," he said.
The
pay deal incorporates many of the variable allowances that flight crew have had
for many years – such as allowances for meals and distances flown – into basic
pay.
Fowler
said previously BA had the world’s most convoluted pay structure: "Up to
47 per cent of co-pilot earnings and up to 35 per cent of a Captain’s earnings
were composed of these variable allowances. Consequently pilots never knew how
much they would bring home – the sum could vary by as much as £1,000 a month
either way.
"Now
they will have a first rate basic pay with just a few additional allowances and
their pensions will be improved. It is a change we had been seeking for a long
time. Pilots and flight engineers will now have a ‘straight line’ payscale with
clear career and income progression."
The
new pay structure also improves the pay of new young pilots.
The
pay deal runs until 31 December 2003.
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