Impending strike action by Virgin Atlantic cabin crew looks likely to go ahead next Wednesday (9 January) as both sides dig in concerning the pay dispute.
It appears that no further talks are planned either today or tomorrow between the carrier and its crew represented by the Unite union, although Virgin is confident it can run nine out of ten services.
The impasse follows a letter written by Virgin chairman Sir Richard Branson to all 4,800 cabin crew this week, insisting that no further money was on the table. Crew have been offered a two-year pay increase to basic pay equating to an 8.4% increase during the period.
”All cabin crew received a letter this week summing up the situation; there is no more money and we can only afford a certain amount,” a Virgin spokesman told ABTN.
”When you join Virgin, you join a style of company with benefits. If you need more money, then maybe you need to consider working elsewhere.”
The spokesman added that while there were no plans to sit down for further talks before the walkout, the union had already ”strongly recommended” the Virgin offer. ”It”s an unusual position for them to be in,” he said.
Two strikes are planned by Virgin cabin crew; 06:00 Wednesday 9 January to 06:00, Friday 11 January and 06:00 Wednesday 16 January to 06:00, Friday 18 January.
The industrial action ” a first for Virgin ” follows seven months of negotiations last year ” with Unite saying there are differing pay rates between Virgin cabin crew and those of its competitors. It cites British Airways crew in particular, as earning up to ”10,000 ($19,870) more working on the same business routes.
Virgin added that striking staff would actually lose a week”s pay as each outbound trip lasts three days. All affected passengers have been contacted and switched to other flights where necessary, although Virgin declined to reveal what financial impact the two walkouts would have.
There was a modicum of good news for the carrier however, as threatened industrial action by BAA staff now looks to have been cancelled.
Nobody was available for comment at Unite.