Japan Airlines-2014

Some 82.5% of Japan Airlines’ cabin crew at its Heathrow base have voted to reject a proposed pay offer.

Under the airline’s proposed offer, staff at the top of the pay scale would not have received a wage rise, aside from a £96 a year increase in London weighting.

Meanwhile, the lowest-paid crew, who receive a basic wage of £9,000 a year, would see their basic pay increase by £285 per annum.

Simon McCartney, regional officer at trade union Unite, said: “Loyal cabin crew feel totally undervalued by this pay offer, which fails to recognise their hard work on some of the airline’s most profitable routes.

“The airline needs to get back around the negotiating table or face the real possibility of a vote in favour of industrial action.”

Japan Airlines was unavailable for comment.