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Virgin strike called off

08/01/2008

Planned strike action by cabin crew staff at Virgin has been called off, it has been confirmed.

Two 48-hour strikes, planned for January 9th and 10th and 16th and 17th have been shelved after agreement between union officials and Virgin bosses.

In a statement the airline company said that both sides had agreed that the "prolonged discussions had been potentially damaging to the current relationship between the company, its cabin crew and the union".

Cabin crew had been unhappy with the pay structure at the company but agreement has been reached for a 4.8 per cent pay increase this year and another increase along retail inflation lines the following year.

"The deal also allows for previously-agreed increases to other variable elements of cabin crew pay and a commitment by both parties to review the current consultative structure," a Virgin statement said.

Commenting on the resolution, Virgin president Sir Richard Branson said the outcome was a "triumph of common sense and means that our passengers need not worry about getting to their destinations".

He added: "Our cabin crew are the best flying and continue to provide the highest standards of customer service. This agreement will enable us to focus on continuing to offer the best service to our customers."

Brian Boyd, the national officer of Unite, added: "This agreement recognises the important contribution cabin crew make to the business and I am of the firm opinion that we now have the opportunity to ensure an improved relationship with Virgin Atlantic in the future."

Unite had previously said that its workers had felt "undervalued for too long" and were not paid enough compared to those on other airlines.

Some flights already cancelled have not been able to be reinstated after the announcement.