Virgin Atlantic solves pilots row to avoid strike

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A deal was agreed today between Sir Richard Branson's company and the pilots union Balpa in the row over days off.

Balpa general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "Both sides have conducted talks that were frank, to the point and creative. Whilst the issue has created much debate, we are now happy with both the agreement and the ground that has been laid for our future relationship with the company.

"Pilots will have the minimum 120 rostered days off a year - the equivalent of an office worker's weekends and bank holidays - which was in our original agreement but we will not be seeking compensation."

He added: "This was never a matter of money; it was always one of lifestyle."

A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said: "Balpa is clear that Virgin Atlantic has the practices in place to ensure that all of our pilots are scheduled at least 120 days off per annum.

"During the course of these discussions both parties have also identified some opportunities to modernise the relationship between Virgin Atlantic and Balpa in the future and we are looking forward to working on this together. We are very pleased to have rapidly resolved this situation without impact on our pilots, customers or operation."

The dispute which threatens further strikes at British Airways continues.

Talks between the Unite union, which has staged 22 days of strikes this year, and BA, the UK's largest carrier, are expected to take place next week.

If they fail then Unite will order another strike ballot in the cabin crew jobs, pay and conditions dispute.