Virgin Atlantic reassures Christmas passengers over industrial action

Virgin Atlantic, one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines, today said that some union members belonging to Virgin Atlantic’s cabin crew are being balloted on possible industrial action. The move follows the recent rejection of the two-year pay deal, which amounts to an increase of around 8.3%* to basic pay.

Around 1200 people voted against the pay deal out of a total cabin crew workforce of around 5,000.

Brian Boyd, Unite’s National Office for Aviation, helped to construct the deal, which remains one of the best packages in the aviation industry this year. The deal was recommended twice by Unite, and strongly recommended last month.

The ballot over possible action will close on 20th December. Passengers can be reassured that their flights over the Christmas period will not be affected.

Lyell Strambi, Chief Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented:

"Virgin Atlantic does value its many employees who have built the airline’s excellent reputation for customer service and we know our cabin crew would not want to damage that reputation.

"Unite strongly recommended this pay offer to their members because it is a very good deal, especially given the challenging environment we operate in. The pay offer reflects the huge contribution that our cabin crew make to the airline’s success and we have been told by Unite that it is the best to be offered by an airline this year. Our cabin crew have also benefited from pay increases of between 20 and 30% over the last four years."

* The pay deal offered 4.8% in the first year and RPI in the second year which is estimated to be 3.5% which equates to 8.3% over the two year period.

For more information, log onto Virginatlantic.com.