Strike by Thomas Cook pilots in pay dispute called off
A planned strike on Friday by pilots at Thomas Cook in a dispute over pay has been called off.
Members of the British Airline Pilots Association will be balloted on whether to go to arbitration to resolve the row.
Thomas Cook said in a statement: "Following talks between Balpa and Thomas Cook this week, Balpa has called off the strike scheduled for this Friday.
BALPA has suspended strike plan for Friday while we consult with members on escalating the strikes to eight days in Oct. Alternatively, there is arbitration option, but Thomas Cook has not yet indicated they would be prepared to accept this as a means of resolving pilot dispute.
-- BALPA (@BALPApilots) September 27, 2017
"Balpa is now consulting its members on a plan to go to arbitration. Thomas Cook remains keen to resolve this dispute in the interest of all those involved. We await the response of Balpa's members."
The pilots staged a 24-hour strike last weekend.
Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said: "Balpa has suspended the strike plan for Friday while we consult with members on escalating the strikes to eight days in October.
"Alternatively, there is the option of arbitration, but at the moment Thomas Cook has not indicated they would be prepared to accept this as a means of resolving their dispute with their pilots."
