The British Airline Pilots’ Association has given notice to Bristow Helicopters that it will call on its members to strike in March. 

BALPA has been in negotiation with the company for months, but Bristow has failed to put forward any offer that its pilots and tech crew could support.

Following a strong ballot result of members of BALPA, which returned a 96.31% YES vote on a 92.74% turnout, the pilots union has set several strike dates, starting on Sunday 3^rd March.

BALPA General Secretary, Amy Leversidge said:

“Our members in Bristow Helicopters, have endured years of pay cuts and freezes and are now saying enough is enough. These pilots and technical crew (winch paramedics and winch operators), operate in some of the most treacherous conditions providing vital search and rescue services and transporting workers to the oil and gas rigs in the North Sea. They have remained loyal to Bristow in difficult times, and now the company is booming, and oil and gas is raking in unprecedented profits, it is wholly unreasonable to expect them to remain on austerity pay. 

“Bristow’s management has failed to listen to employees and offer decent pay deal. We have repeatedly opened the door for them to come forward with a revised offer, but it just hasn’t come. We strongly urge Bristow to start listening to what their workers are telling them loud and clear- to get back to the bargaining table with BALPA with a fair and reasonable pay offer, to prevent further escalation in this dispute.”

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

Industrial action will be held between:

• • Sunday 3rd – Tuesday 5th March
  • Monday 11th – Wednesday 13th March
  • Monday 18th – Wednesday 20th March
  • Monday 25th – Wednesday 27th March