Virgin strikes on as Branson suggests quitting
Strikes by Virgin Atlantic cabin crew will go ahead in January as Sir Richard Branson suggests they work elsewhere if they want more pay.
Branson has written to 4,800 Virgin Atlantic cabin crew, stating: “For some of you more pay than Virgin Atlantic can afford may be critical to your lifestyle, and if that is the case you should consider working elsewhere”.
Sir Richard is not involved in day-to-day management at Virgin Atlantic, but his letter reveals that he feels strongly about pay demands that could jeopardise the future of the airline.
“There comes a time in any negotiation when a good management team has to draw a line in the sand and I agree with them that time has come. To go further would result in unacceptable risks and would set a dangerous precedent to the company as a whole,” said Branson.
Virgin Atlantic has offered airline cabin crew a pay deal worth 8.3% over two years and 4.8% in the first year, but members of the Unite union voted to reject the offer.
The strikes by cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic will run for 48 hours from 0600 on 9 January and 0600 on 16 January, while there will be more disruption at UK airports on 7,14, 17 and 18 January if planned strikes by BAA staff go ahead.
Virgin Atlantic has cancelled flights from Heathrow to New York, Chicago, Boston and Nairobi as a result of the strike action by cabin crew. But the airline has vowed “We plan to operate all our other flights on these days as normal”.
Passengers on the cancelled flights have been offered a full refund, but those who have booked a package holiday have been advised that the refund only applies to the cost of the Virgin Atlantic flight.
Written by: Nick Purdom
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