Virgin pilots threaten summer strikes

Monday, 23 May 2011 11:07

Less than a week after British Airways resolved its long-running dispute with cabin crew, Virgin Atlantic pilots are threatening strikes over the summer which could hit families' holiday plans. 

The British Airline Pilots Association, which represents 85% of Virgin's flight crew, said it will begin balloting members next week after pay talks between the union and the airline broke down. 

The result of the ballot will be announced on June 21 and, if pilots give the go-ahead, the first strikes could take place seven days later. 

BALPA claims that the pilots have not received a pay rise since 2008 and that the airline's latest offer of 4% this year and 3% in 2012 and 2013 will not keep pace with inflation.

BALPA general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "With inflation running at 5% and likely to remain high, pilots would, if they accepted these increases, be in effect voting themselves years of wage cuts.

“We do not want a dispute but to date there has been no meaningful movement by the company and even the involvement of ACAS (the conciliation service) has not broken the logjam.

The airline claimed the offer was "fair, affordable and sustainable" and in line with the rest of the industry. It said it was still open to talks with the pilots, who are paid between £58,000 and £110,000 a year, depending on seniority. 

Virgin pilots threatened to industrial action last year over how many days they could take off, but the dispute was resolved. If the latest threatened strike goes ahead, it will be the first in the airline's history.

By Linsey McNeill, Travelmole 2011.