In brief: Cabin crew working for Loganair, which operates several routes to and from Jersey, are set to ballot for industrial action after pay talks broke down. Around 60 crew members are eligible to vote, with trade union Unite accusing the airline of tabling a final offer before negotiations had even begun. Loganair says it made an improved two-year offer in late September and insists it does not expect disruption to services.
The Dispute
The Jersey Evening Post reports that Unite, the trade union representing Loganair cabin crew, is organising a ballot for potential industrial action following the collapse of pay negotiations. Approximately 60 crew members are expected to be eligible to vote.
Unite industrial officer Carrie Donoghue was forthright in her criticism of the airline’s approach. “Unite found itself in the unacceptable position of Loganair tabling a final offer before any negotiations had taken place,” she said, adding that “any future strike action involving Loganair cabin crew will be a direct result of the company putting profits before people.”
Loganair, for its part, tells a rather different story. A spokesperson said the airline had “engaged constructively with Unite over recent months” and expressed disappointment at the ballot move, noting that an improved offer covering a two-year period had been made in late September. Adding a touch of grievance to the proceedings, the airline said it learned of the offer’s rejection through the media rather than directly from Unite.
The Airline’s Position
Loganair acknowledged the difficult operating environment facing the aviation sector, citing significantly higher fuel costs and softening consumer demand. The airline said it values its cabin crew and remains committed to reaching an agreement through the collective bargaining process, calling on Unite to return to the table.
On the question of disruption, Loganair was reassuring: “We do not expect this situation to affect our services, and our priority remains the smooth running of our flights for customers.” Whether that confidence proves well-founded will depend largely on the outcome of the ballot and whether both sides can find their way back to the negotiating table.
What This Means for Jersey Travellers
Loganair is no minor player for islanders. The airline operates year-round direct services between Jersey and Southampton, East Midlands, Exeter and Bristol, and provides seasonal links to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Bordeaux and Norwich. For a community that depends entirely on air and sea connections to the outside world, any disruption to these routes is not a trivial inconvenience but a genuine logistical headache.
Jersey residents travelling to the UK mainland for work, medical appointments, family visits or onward connections would feel the pinch immediately if strike action were to materialise. The seasonal routes to France, while not year-round, are also popular with islanders and visitors alike. It is worth noting that no strike has been called yet: a ballot is simply the first formal step in the process, and there remains time for both parties to reach a settlement.
Source: Jersey Evening Post
