Thousands of Unite members at low-cost airline easyJet have secured an 'excellent' two-year pay deal following negotiations between the union and the company.

Workers will get a two-year four-month deal linked to retail price index inflationary measure (RPI).  From November 1 workers will receive a pay rise ranging from five per cent to 21.58 per cent on basic salary to reward their length of service. The second year will see the employees’ basic salary rise again by RPI (forecasted 3.7 per cent at the time of negotiation) plus one per cent. 

The compounded increase on basic salary over the length of this pay deal is expected to range from 9.93 per cent for those with 0 to 2 years’ service to a huge 27.29 per cent for those who reach 30 years’ service.

Variable elements of pay will keep up with the cost of living through increases linked to RPI.  Staff who will get the pay rise include cabin crew, cabin managers and cabin crew trainers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is an excellent deal for our hardworking members at easyJet. It shows the power of having a strong union in pay negotiations. Any worker who wants better pay should join Unite."

As well as the pay increases, workers at easyJet will also get further benefits. This includes an employer pension contribution increase from six per cent to seven per cent and the introduction of loyalty pay on an incremental service length basis.

There will also be a new bonus structure put in place, which gives the potential for crew to earn a significantly higher payment should targets be met and an introduction of a four day on, four day off working pattern for those who apply. Unite members will also see their life assurance benefit increasing from two x basic salary to four x basic salary.

Unite regional coordinating officer Lindsey Olliver said: "This is a fantastic win for our members at easyJet. The deal means workers will have baked-in protection which will protect against inflationary changes as well as significant additional pay elements which can be built upon in the future.

"Unite will always work hard to negotiate the best pay deals for our members and we look forward to continuing working with easyJet on this going forward."

ENDS

Notes to editors

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Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org