Unite secures ‘game changing’ pay deal for Heathrow cabin crew

18 per cent deal sees wages for some CAE Crewing Services Ltd increase by nearly £5,000

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured a ‘game changing’ pay deal for Heathrow-based cabin crew employed by CAE Crewing Services Ltd on its contract for Scandinavian airline SAS Connect.

All workers will receive a phased 18 per cent pay rise beginning with an immediate hike of 11 per cent, followed by four per cent increase in November and three per cent in March 2023. The deal also reverses a 10 per cent pay cut accepted by the workforce during the pandemic.

Long service payments have also been introduced, with staff receiving an extra seven per cent for every two years served, up to eight years’ service. Long service payments will also be backdated.

In addition, workers will also receive a one off £1,200 summer bonus for 2022, as well as increases in overnight rates and other pay elements.

This year, senior cabin crew members with 48 months service will see their wages immediately increase by £4,789.91. Cabin crew members who have served the same amount of time will be better off by £4,019.35.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a game-changing deal for our members working on the SAS Connect contract.

“It will see the reversal of the 10 per cent cut to their wages made during the pandemic and a substantial increase in their pay.

“I strongly advise other aviation employers, including British Airways, to take note.

“Without across the board, drastic improvements to the poor wages and working conditions within this sector, the staff shortages driving the chaos at airports will continue.”

Unite secured the deal after opening negotiations to reverse a 10 per cent reduction to pay accepted voluntary by CAE cabin crew members during the pandemic. This was to ensure CAE Crewing Services Ltd’s contract with Scandinavian airline SAS Connect was retained.

Unite regional officer Lindsey Olliver said: “It is testament to our Unite representatives and negotiating team that we have been able to secure this pay award. This outstanding result is a reminder of what can be achieved when a well-organised, unionised workforce stands together.

“Without this deal CAE would not have been able to retain staff in the UK’s increasingly competitive aviation sector.”