LONDON — British Airways PLC said Thursday that almost 7,000 staff have responded to a call from the carrier to apply for voluntary pay cuts as it seeks to trim costs.
British Airways said the pledge by the workers to take unpaid leave, work part time or carry out unpaid work would save the company up to $16 million.
“This is a fantastic first response,” said chief executive Willie Walsh. “I want to thank everyone who has volunteered to help us pull through this difficult period.”
The carrier had urged its 40,000-strong workforce to work for nothing as it struggled to come up with ways to save cash after reporting its biggest full-year loss since the former national airline was privatized in 1987.
Walsh declared he would not draw a salary in July and urged other employees to work for blocks of time without being paid.
Workers could volunteer for between one and four weeks of unpaid leave or unpaid work, with the pay deduction spread over three or six months. They could also switch to part-time work or longer periods of unpaid leave.
The airline said it would offer staff the opportunity to take part in the cost-saving program again later this year.
