Union Unite is taking BMI to the high court for breaking a pay deal worth up to £6 million, promised to more than 3,000 employees.
Unite is accusing the airline of failing to uphold a three-year pay deal that was agreed in 2007.
Unite entered the pay agreement with BMI, which provided pay rises in 2007 and 2008, but deferred the pay increase due on April 2009 to March 2010, due to economic circumstances.
Unite said the airline does not intend to honour the agreement, but BMI has claimed this would result in job cuts.
Unite has informed BMI of its intention to take the case to the high court.
Brian Boyd, Unite’s national officer, said: “Unite is lodging a high court claim against BMI because the company owes its employees a long overdue pay increase.
“Staff agreed to defer the increase to help the company during difficult times, they are still waiting for the company to honour its end of the bargain.
“Staff had not had an increase in earnings since 2008. Lufthansa, which owns BMI, is a huge airline, and employees need reward for their dedication and loyalty.
“Unite remains available to meet with BMI but we have already made clear what we consider an acceptable solution.”
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