British pilots have gone on strike for the first time since 1974. The pilots at Thomas Cook walked out at 0300hrs on Friday 8^th September, over year-on-year, real-terms pay cuts, cuts to terms and conditions and frustration with the company’s intransigent stance during negotiation.

The British Airline Pilots’ Association says it’s the first time in over 40 years that British pilots have gone on strike and its Thomas Cook members have taken this course of action extremely reluctantly.

Pilots say Thomas Cook customers are not to blame for this action and they welcome the news that many flights are expected to operate as usual during the 12-hour strike. But they say they want the company to understand just how resolute pilots are and how frustrated they are with the company’s uncompromising stance.

BALPA remains committed to finding a solution to this dispute and urges Thomas Cook to put forward a pay offer that their pilots can accept.

General Secretary at BALPA Brian Strutton said:

“Thomas Cook pilots have faced pay cuts and slashed terms and conditions and say, ‘enough is enough’.

“Going on strike is not something pilots take lightly. BALPA members haven’t been on strike since 1974, but with no sensible pay offer on the table, Thomas Cook pilots have had no other option.

“The time has come for Thomas Cook to understand the depth of feeling on this issue, listen to its pilots and come forward with a reasonable offer that they can accept.”