Vote Was Lopsided In Favor Of Industrial Action

North Sea helicopter pilots employed by CHC Scotia have voted in favor of taking industrial action in a dispute over pay. The ballot conducted among members of the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) closed Tuesday, May 7th 2019 and returned a 94% YES vote for strike action, and a 100% YES vote for industrial action short of a strike on a 77% turnout.

“Despite months of negotiations, the company has failed to offer a pay deal acceptable to our members, which is why we took the decision to ballot for industrial action," said BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton.
 
“We have today informed CHC of the result of this ballot, and we are hopeful the company will put an acceptable offer on the table before we have to act on the mandate we received today.”
 
The mandate would permit industrial action between May 21st and November 5th, 2019.
 
CHC Scotia pilots are based at Aberdeen, Humberside, Norwich and Sumburgh.

The BBC reports that CHC Helicopters said it had put forth a "competitive" offer, and was disappointed in the strike vote results. "We continue to negotiate with Balpa to find a mutually acceptable agreement," the company said in a statement. "We believe we have made a competitive offer based on the ongoing challenging market conditions. In fact, it is the best offer made to U.K. rotorcraft pilots in the past five years.

"We are working on comprehensive contingency plans to ensure any disruption in the future to offshore flights is kept to a minimum."

(Source: BALPA news release and as cited. Image from file)

FMI: www.balpa.org
BBC Report