Struggling British Airways says 800 staff have agreed to unpaid work and thousands more to pay cuts, helping the group save up to £10 million ($20.6 million).
After diving into a financial loss, the airline last month asked staff to work for no pay, while promising that chief executive Willie Walsh and BA's finance director Keith Williams would forgo their salaries in July.
"This is a fantastic first response" to BA's cost-cutting program, Walsh said yesterday.
"I want to thank everyone who has volunteered to help us pull through this difficult period. This response clearly shows the significant difference individuals can make."
The world's leading commercial airlines are facing a major cash squeeze as the global economic slump crushes demand for plane tickets.
BA last month reported an annual loss of £375 million, also blamed on high fuel costs. The airline has cut 2500 jobs worldwide over the past year.
On Thursday, a BA spokesman said: "800 (have) opted to work for free" for up to a month.
The airline added: "Nearly 7000 British Airways staff have taken an early opportunity to apply for voluntary pay cuts in support of the airline's cost reduction program.
"Of the 40,000-strong workforce, 6940 employees had volunteered for unpaid leave, part-time working or unpaid work ... Their actions will save the company up to £10 million."
Staff who have offered to work unpaid will still receive shift allowances and other payments, although they will forego their basic pay.
However Mick Rix, representing the GMB union, hit out at BA for releasing data on pay cuts while negotiations were ongoing.
"I find it disgusting that the company can make the announcement today," said Rix. "We are locked into hard negotiations on making significant financial savings but BA seems only interested in making headlines rather than reaching an acceptable deal."
Last week, union leaders urged BA pilots to accept shares in the company in return for a pay cut.
Under the deal, pilots' annual pay will be cut by 2.61 per cent and most jobs safeguarded.
Their pay cut would generate £16 million in annual savings, while they would also have to increase their working hours to help save another £10 million annually.
In return, pilots would in two years be eligible to receive a proportion of BA shares worth £13 million if company targets are met. The pilots will not, however, be able to sell the shares until June 2014.
LONDON AFP
