Virgin’s new offer averts pilots’ strike

The threat of a damaging pilots’ strike at Virgin Atlantic Airways has been lifted after the firm made a new offer to its employees.

Pilots union Balpa said it had “now secured an offer” from the airline which would be put to members in a ballot.

General secretary Jim McAuslan said: “Pilots have never wished to inconvenience the travelling public, especially those looking forward to summer holidays. We have therefore lifted the threat of strike action. Virgin Atlantic pilots will proudly continue their role of flying passengers safely to their destinations.”

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Balpa’s Virgin members had voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in the dispute over a 4 per cent pay offer. The union had urged Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson to get involved in negotiations.

He declined to do so but offered to talk privately to pilots.

In a letter, Sir Richard warned unless Balpa withdrew its threat of a strike it would leave an “indelible scar” on the airline, “impact customers’ trust in us and damage the unique and friendly culture at Virgin Atlantic”.

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