The Court of Appeal is expected on Wednesday (31 July) to rule on British Airways efforts to halt planned strike action by its pilots.
Pilots union Balpa balloted members on industrial action earlier this month, returning a 93% vote in favour of walkouts on a 90% turnout.
Last week, Balpa defended its ballot in the High Court following an application by BA for an injunction to annul the vote.
BA subsequently took its case to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday (30 July). Balpa said it expected a ruling on Wednesday morning.
UPDATE: British Airways loses appeal to halt Balpa pilots strike
General secretary Brian Strutton said: “The Court of Appeal has heard submissions on behalf of British Airways and Balpa. BA was challenging last week’s High Court ruling that vindicated Balpa’s strike ballot. The Court of Appeal said it would give its judgement at 10.30am tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Balpa and BA are in dispute over a new pay deal, which Balpa says fails to adequately reward BA pilots for their contribution to the airline’s £2 billion profits. It is understood to be worth around 11.5% over three years.
Talks between the two parties ground to a halt earlier this month, despite the intervention of government conciliation service Acas.
Earlier this year, Balpa, Unite and the GMB unions lodged a joint pay claim after BA owner IAG announced record profits of some €3 billion. Unite and the GMB unions have since recommended BA’s pay deal to members after considering strike action.
Balpa is yet to announce strike dates, pending the outcome of BA’s appeal.