Unions stepped up their attacks on British Airways yesterday, accusing the management of “bullying” and being out of touch with staff after the airline revealed that only 800 of its employees had accepted its invitation to work for nothing.

The volunteers for unpaid work are among 6,940 staff who have signed up for a variety of cost-saving schemes, all of which amount to a pay cut, in a programme that the airline said would save it as much as £10 million.

The cost-saving schemes include taking unpaid leave for up to a year and switching from full-time to part-time work, either temporarily or permanently.

British Airways came in for widespread criticism when it asked its 40,000 staff to work unpaid for between a week and a month. The concerns ranged from whether employees could afford to work unpaid, to fears that the company might discriminate against those staff who turned down the request — a potential outcome that BA vehemently rejected.

Steve Turner, a national officer for Unite, Britain’s biggest union, said: “While we support means to mitigate redundancy, workers were sent intimidating e-mails from senior managers, which we believe put pressure on staff to volunteer for one of the changes BA proposed, otherwise they would get a meeting with a manager.

“This bullying and constant harassment of our members is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

A BA spokesman said that the company strongly rejected any allegations of bullying or intimidation.

Mick Rix, national officer for aviation for the GMB union, said: “Eight hundred people is less than 2 per cent of BA’s workforce and shows that the clear majority think it is a very bad idea. If you’re an executive on £62,000 a month, that’s OK. But the vast majority can’t afford to make such sacrifices.”

Mr Rix was referring to the gesture by Willie Walsh, BA’s chief executive, to work for nothing in July, in a move that will save the airline £62,000.

BA is reeling after making a loss of £401 million in the year to March 31, its worst in 25 years, as soaring fuel costs combined with a significant decline in demand for high-margin business-class and first-class seats.

Mr Walsh said: “This is a fantastic first response. I want to thank everyone who has volunteered to help us pull through this difficult period. This response clearly shows the significant difference individuals can make.”

The voluntary pay cuts come as BA scrambles to secure its future. Last week, its 3,235 pilots agreed to a package of wage cuts and productivity gains — including longer hours — that will save the airline £26 million a year. In return, they will receive £13 million-worth of the airline’s shares in three years’ time.

BA is also hoping to forge a deal with its cabin crew, ground staff and other employees and has imposed a deadline of June 30 for an agreement to be reached.

Unite and BA declined to say how the discussions were progressing yesterday, except to say that the talks were continuing.

In an e-mail to staff this week, Mr Walsh reiterated that BA was going through difficult times and that unless they accept proposed pay and productivity changes, the airline’s future is “definitely at risk”.

The e-mail said: “There is no immediate threat to our business if we act with speed. However, the drop in revenue we witnessed in the fourth quarter of last year goes well beyond anything we can save from our costs.

“Central to our plan for survival is a fundamental and structural change to our employee cost base. If we do not change, then the future of our business is definitely at risk.”

Times Recommends

• Lies and cover-up at MG Rover exposed by report
• High oil prices push manufacturing costs up
• Primark founder steps down as chief executive