Caitlin Quinn
SINCE its foundation in 1995, low-cost airline EasyJet has never had a strike.
But that could all be about to change in the coming months, as over a thousand of the airline’s crew members affiliated with the union Unite are threatening to strike during the peak summer season.
Unite members voted to reject EasyJet’s offer of a 4.1% pay raise for cabin crew members, who currently earn about €35,000 per year.
Following the breakdown of negotiations with the airline, Unite announced that a ballot for industrial action by its EasyJet cabin crew members will open on Tuesday and close on August 3.
EasyJet has repeatedly asserted its confidence that it will operate its full summer schedule, but many British holidaymakers worry that a strike would plunge their vacation plans into chaos.
EasyJet, Britain’s largest airline, flies an estimated 30 million passengers in and out of the UK annually.
not 4.1 but 2%
They actually make about £20,000 (about €28,000) before tax per year, and this is on a full-flight schedule and including commision.