IDLE AIRCRAFT AT AIRPORT; PASSENGERS AT BOAC INFORMATION DESK; PICKETS OUTSIDE TERMINAL BUILDING; IDLE BOAC VEHICLES; PLANE BEING TOWED BACK TO HANGAR.




Initials GL/V/BOB/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION'S 1,100 PILOTS WENT ON STRIKE EARLY TODAY (31 MARCH) LEAVING THE STATE-OWNED AIRLINE'S FLEET OF 48 AIRCRAFT STRANDED AROUND THE WORLD'S AIRPORTS. THE STRIKE WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER TALKS BETWEEN THE AIRLINE, THE PILOTS AND GOVERNMENT ON A NEW PAY AND PRODUCTIVITY AGREEMENT BROKE DOWN.

LAST TIME THE AIRLINE'S PILOTS STRUCK -- FOR 16 DAYS LAST JUNE -- AIRCREWS BROUGHT THEIR PLANES HOME BEFORE JOINING THE STOPPAGE. THIS TIME THE AIRCRAFT HAVE BEEN GROUNDED WHERE THEY WERE AT MIDNIGHT; ABOUT HALF THE FLEET IS OUT OF THE COUNTRY. AND A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PILOT'S UNION SAID "THE PROSPECT IS FOR ALONG AND BITTER STRIKE, LASTING FOR WEEKS, IF NOT MONTHS."
MRS BARBARA CASTLE, SECRETARY OF STATE OF EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY, INTERVENED IN THE DISPUTE YESTERDAY (30 MARCH), BUT WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE TWO SIDES TOGETHER. MINISTRY OFFICIALS CARRIED MESSAGES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, BUT COULD NOT PERSUADE THEM TO AGREE ON ARBITRATION.

THE PILOTS ARE SEEKING A BIG PAY INCREASE AND TRYING TO PREVENT THE FORCED RETIREMENT OF 130 PILOTS AGED OVER 50. AT PRESENT SENIOR PILOTS EACH 5,880 STERLING (11,760 DOLLARS) A YEAR. THE UNION IS DEMANDING FOR THEM A BASIS SALARY OF 7,500 STERLING (18,000 DOLLARS) PLUS EXTRA MONEY FOR ANY EXTRA FLYING THEY DO. B.O.A.C. HAS OFFERED INCREASES UP TO 8,600 STERLING (20,640 DOLLARS) BY 1972.

B.O.A.C. SAID YESTERDAY THAT THE STRIKE WOULD COST THEM ABOUT HALF A MILLION STERLING (OVER 1 MILLION DOLLARS) IN LOST PROFITS FOR EVERY DAY IT LASTED.

AMONG THE FLIGHTS WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE TODAY WAS AN INAUGURAL FLIGHT FROM LONDON TO TOKYO BY THE NORTH POLE ROUTE WHICH WAS TO CARRY A LARGE PARTY OF BRITISH BUSINESSMEN.