British Airways staff to receive giant 13% pay hike plus £1,000 bonus! Around 24,000 BA workers will enjoy a fat pay rise over the next 18 months, starting this September, Unite union has revealed. The deal, struck after months of tough talks, also includes a one-off £1,000 payout. But pilots and managers are left out of this sweet deal.
Inflation-busting raise amid soaring prices
With UK inflation still sky-high at 7.9% — way above the Bank of England’s 2% target — this pay boost is a lifeline for BA staff struggling with the cost of living. Unite’s deal also reverses wage cuts imposed in 2020, restoring lost ground for workers.
“This sizeable pay increase is the result of detailed negotiations,” said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham. The timing couldn’t be better, as the aviation sector gears up for a busy summer travel season with families jetting off for holidays.
Fashion shock: Julien MacDonald’s company collapses
In grim news from the fashion world, Welsh designer Julien MacDonald’s company has gone into liquidation. Hit by the pandemic’s brutal blow and loss of key contracts, cash flow dried up. MacDonald’s glamorous creations have dressed stars like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez and featured in Wales’ 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
US jobs report: labour market still tight despite slowdown
Across the pond, the US added 187,000 jobs in July — a respectable but slightly lower figure than expected. The unemployment rate dropped to a 50-year low of 3.5%, showing a strong jobs market that continues to defy expectations.
Though sectors like leisure and hospitality have yet to bounce back fully to pre-pandemic levels, firms are holding on to staff amid ongoing labour shortages. The Fed predicts unemployment may nudge up to 4.1% by year-end, but for now, the jobs scene remains competitive.
