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Virgin Atlantic pilots vote to strike | Virgin Atlantic pilots vote to strike |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Virgin Atlantic pilots have voted to go out on strike for their first time in the airline's history, in a dispute over pay. | Virgin Atlantic pilots have voted to go out on strike for their first time in the airline's history, in a dispute over pay. |
The Balpa union said 97% of its members voted in favour of industrial action, from a ballot turnout of 94%, a result it said was "overwhelming". | The Balpa union said 97% of its members voted in favour of industrial action, from a ballot turnout of 94%, a result it said was "overwhelming". |
The ballot was called after year-long pay talks with the company broke down. | The ballot was called after year-long pay talks with the company broke down. |
Balpa said it was open for fresh talks. Virgin Atlantic said it was committed to finding a solution. | |
Yet the airline added that it was also putting in place contingency plans to minimise the impact of any strikes. | |
'Hugely disappointed' | 'Hugely disappointed' |
Jim McAuslan, Balpa general secretary, said the "huge" vote in favour of strike action sent a clear message to Virgin Atlantic's majority owner, Sir Richard Branson. | Jim McAuslan, Balpa general secretary, said the "huge" vote in favour of strike action sent a clear message to Virgin Atlantic's majority owner, Sir Richard Branson. |
"Pilots do not want to strike and are hugely disappointed by the company's approach. There has been no UK pilot strike for 32 years," he added. | "Pilots do not want to strike and are hugely disappointed by the company's approach. There has been no UK pilot strike for 32 years," he added. |
"But there comes a time when even moderate people say 'enough'." | "But there comes a time when even moderate people say 'enough'." |
Balpa said that Virgin Atlantic's pilots had not had a pay rise since 2008, and were being offered a below inflation deal for 2011. | |
"We do not want to inconvenience the public and hope that Sir Richard will use some of his undoubted Virgin flair to settle this," Mr McAuslan said. | "We do not want to inconvenience the public and hope that Sir Richard will use some of his undoubted Virgin flair to settle this," Mr McAuslan said. |
Virgin Atlantic said in a statement: "We have made an industry-leading offer to Balpa that is double the national average for a UK business. | |
"We value our pilots enormously and that is why we have offered three guaranteed pay rises in the next two and a half years and a share of company profits." | |
Balpa has yet to announce any potential strike dates. |
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