The possibility of summer flight chaos draws nearer when a consultative ballot of nearly 3,000 Unite cabin crew members overwhelmingly rejected Virgin Atlantic’s ‘final pay offer’.

The deal was rejected the by a massive 98.2% of returned ballot papers.

The company offered a 40 month deal with an increase to basic salaries of 5.3% in the first 27 months, this equates to an increase of half the rate of inflation over the first two years, with an RPI increase during the remaining 13 months. It would also have meant no increase to trip pay and other allowances for the first 15 months.

Unite/Amicus National Officer, Brian Boyd, said:

“Our members work hard for Virgin Atlantic and have quite clearly arrived at a position where they believe their dedication and professionalism is being undervalued by the company.”

The result of the Consultative Ballot will now be communicated to all our Cabin Crew members, with a further “Industrial Action Ballot” being conducted during the forthcoming weeks. The result of the Industrial action ballot would coincide with the August Bank Holiday.

“This is a significant and powerful message for the Company, which Virgin Atlantic should not disregard.” added Brian.

A further meeting of the Unite/Amicus Reps is now being planned to discuss the next step, and the union’s Virgin Atlantic Pay Team remain available to discuss any improved offer that the Company may wish to put forward.
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