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Virgin Atlantic solves pilots row to avoid strike
8 Sep 2010The long-running pilot's dispute which threatened strike chaos at Virgin Atlantic is over.
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.
