Union warns Virgin: Pilots to strike unless pay dispute resolved

Strike dates for Virgin Atlantic pilots will be announced next week unless a dispute over pay is resolved, union leaders warned today.

Members of the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) have voted by 97% to stage walkouts in protest at a 4% pay rise following a number of pay freezes.

Balpa's leaders today urged Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson to become personally involved in trying to break the deadlock.

General secretary Jim McAuslan said: "We hope Sir Richard is listening. If he were he'd know that pilots are hugely disappointed, do not want to strike but are absolutely resolute in seeing this through to a satisfactory conclusion."

"Virgin says its approach to business is 'to put ourselves in the customer's shoes to see what could make it better'. Their customers and their pilots want to see this dispute resolved fairly and swiftly. An acknowledgement of that fact, of the mood amongst pilots and of the need to make an improved offer would solve this now."

Virgin Atlantic has said it was committed to further talks with Balpa, adding: "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. We believe that once Balpa communicate this offer to our pilots, industrial action will be averted.

"We have contingency plans in place to prepare for any industrial action and will take every step possible to minimise the impact on our customers."

Under employment law, Balpa will have to give seven days notice of any strikes.