BALPA pilots and tech crew at Bristow Helicopters strike in dispute over pay

The British Airline Pilots’ Association says its members in Bristow Helicopters have been forced to strike by a management which continues to belligerently ignore their calls for a fair and reasonable pay offer.  

The pilots and tech crew (including search and rescue winch operators and winch paramedics) will be involved in strike action on Tuesday and Wednesday to Thursday, after Bristow Helicopters management failed to come to the table with a fair and reasonable pay deal

BALPA had previously postponed strike dates in a bid to pursue a negotiated settlement, and entered into ACAS talks, but the company has failed to listen and has not come forward with a fair pay offer that is acceptable to BALPA members.

BALPA GENERAL SECRETARY, AMY LEVERSIDGE SAID:

“We’ve been in negotiations for well over a year and have given the company ample opportunities to listen to its own staff. Time and again Bristow management has shown the contempt it has for employees by failing to present an offer that is anywhere near acceptable to our members.

“These loyal pilots and technical crew operate in some of the most treacherous and challenging conditions transporting workers to the oil and gas rigs in the North Sea and providing vital search and rescue services. There are tens of thousands of workers offshore at any time working in the oil and gas industry and every single one is able to get to work and get home again because of helicopter pilots. The oil and gas industry contributes significantly to the UK economy and pilots are vital to that work. Search and rescue pilots and technical crew (including winch operators and winch paramedics) risk their lives to save others and provide one of the most challenging emergency services.  Despite years of pay freezes and cuts BALPA members have remained dedicated to their jobs and have supported the company in difficult times.

“Now the company is doing well and reporting profits our members are simply asking for a fair pay deal that demonstrates the company values them and repays some of the loyalty shown and the contribution pilots and technical crews have made to the company’s success.

Our members are determined to be heard. Bristow management need to listen and put forward a fair pay offer that recognises the considerable value of pilots and technical crew.

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