Virgin's First Strike?
June 21st 2011 09:07
Photo Credit:
Tens of thousands of holidaymakers booked to fly with Virgin Atlantic this summer face the threat of cancellations and disruption as pilots prepare for a possible strike, the first at the airline.
Union sources predict an overwhelming vote in favour of strike action over pay when a ballot closes on Tuesday. The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said that if the vote is carried as expected, the union would give Virgin seven days notice of unrest and announce strike dates.
Walkouts are set for early next month, just as the airline gears up for the summer season, unless a last-minute deal can be struck. There will be a strike. Everyone is absolutely plumping for it, a union source said. There are no more meetings fixed. We now go straight into a strike.
A strike would be a heavy blow to an airline which is losing millions of pounds because of high fuel prices and the economic downturn.
Despite the confidence of executives that a deal can be reached, Virgin is honing contingency plans to keep jets flying. A spokesman declined to say whether resources would be concentrated to keep services flying on the busiest routes
Union sources predict an overwhelming vote in favour of strike action over pay when a ballot closes on Tuesday. The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said that if the vote is carried as expected, the union would give Virgin seven days notice of unrest and announce strike dates.
Walkouts are set for early next month, just as the airline gears up for the summer season, unless a last-minute deal can be struck. There will be a strike. Everyone is absolutely plumping for it, a union source said. There are no more meetings fixed. We now go straight into a strike.
A strike would be a heavy blow to an airline which is losing millions of pounds because of high fuel prices and the economic downturn.
Despite the confidence of executives that a deal can be reached, Virgin is honing contingency plans to keep jets flying. A spokesman declined to say whether resources would be concentrated to keep services flying on the busiest routes
| 34 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
