Virgin Atlantic promises service even during strike

According to Travel Weekly, Virgin Atlantic is trying to reassure passengers worried that they will be stranded during an upcoming strike by the carrier’s cabin crew that the airline will be able to offer “near normal” levels of service. The most recent press reports suggest that an undisclosed number of “volunteers” from among cabin crew employees have agreed to work during the labour disruption. The carrier believes that with the help of these employees, around 90% of flights will be able go ahead as planned on January 9^th-10^th, during the first strike. A second walk-out by cabin crew is planned for January 16^th. The carrier has been receiving calls and e-mails from employees who have volunteered to skip the strike.

Lyell Strambi, Virgin Atlantic’s chief operating officer, suggested that “hundreds” of employees will report to work, in spite of the announced strike. Strambi also confirmed that the airline would like to resolve the dispute—which is centered around salary levels—but noted that this would only occur if flight attendants follow the example of other volunteers and return to work. Unionized cabin crew employees are reportedly being offered an 8.3% wage increase over two years and officials associated with Unite, the union involved in the dispute, may be supportive of the offer.

Sir Richard Branson, the carrier’s founder, recently sent a letter to unionized employees, in which he rather defiantly stated that if flight attendants were unhappy with their wages, they should consider working elsewhere. Branson also indicated that Virgin could not match wages offered by rival British Airways, as the carrier never received government “hand-outs” or any money from public funds.

www.virgin-atlantic.com