Virgin Atlantic has announced it has been granted an injunction against the Professional Pilots Union (PPU) by the High Court, bringing an end to strikes that were due to start tomorrow.
The PPU, which is not recognised by the airline as a representative union, said its members voted in favour of the walk-outs over proposed changes to pilot benefits. They were due to strike from 0001 on 22 December until 2359 on 25 December, along with further dates in early 2019.
However, Virgin Atlantic filed legal action against the PPU on the grounds that the union had not correctly informed the airline of the number and category of employees it was balloting for the strikes, or of the dates the action would take place.
While Virgin Atlantic has not said the grounds on which the High Court granted the injunction, it welcomed the ruling in a statement and said it had gone to court “reluctantly” but felt it was “necessary to ensure that our customers will be able to travel over the festive period as planned”.
The PPU called the ruling “a pyrrhic victory” for the airline and warned Virgin Atlantic would still have “hundreds of angry and disgruntled pilots in their workforce”.
Despite the strikes being called off, Virgin Atlantic has warned passengers due to fly from Gatwick to check the status of their flight following the disruption caused by drone sightings at the airport.