Virgin Atlantic pilots to ballot for strike

Looks as though something may/may not be announced tomorrow (at least I can fly out next Wednesday!)

http://www.balpa.org/News-and-campaigns ... IRGIN.aspx

Ok. BALPA have issued a response to SRB's open letter. They say they are 'disappointed' at the response. Talks are still ongoing though. They did say they would make a further announcement at close of business this Friday. So stand by for action (possibly).

On a slight separate note. VS managed to freak me out this morning with a 'courtesy call'. I thought after all this fussmy flight had been cancelled (VS 900 is hit and miss depending of loads/issues in Tokyo). But no, just a quick call to check we know what to do next week. Thanks VS for setting my heart racing.

Hi everyone, sorry for late responses,

I'm not sure what to make of the Independent and Balpa statements, my gut feeling is things are not as good as they were yesterday - which is possibly not good. I may be wrong but I detect a bit of very subtle 'bring it on' attitude from Steve Ridgway - almost like he wants to make the strike go ahead for some bizarre reason which I cant quite fathom. I hope I am entirely wrong on this.

I think everyone should be OK for planned flights in the short term...which is good news for the honeymoon couple... and by the way CONGRATULATIONS!!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that theres a really positive outcome and soon...

Agreed. Mr Ridgeway has certainly ratcheted up the tension and rhetoric. Now BALPA has done the same.

The trick to getting this sorted is to somehow let everyone claim victory. For the management it'll be the ability to get the strikes called off. For the union, they'll need something to take back to the pilots to say 'we won'. It could be something as little as an improved pay deal for 2013 (something above the 3% Offered).

In truth, there's probably not a great deal of distance between the two sides, but that last few inches are the hardest to cover.

OK folks, we're starting to drift off topic now with discussion of other public sector wages/pay rises/strikes etc.

Please try and keep to the subject of the dispute within Virgin Atlantic.

Thanks

Feigh nights (is that how it's spelt???)

[Darren Wheeler]

Latest update from BALPA, talks to continue on Monday.

That sounds to me like a deal is very close.

http://www.balpa.org/News-and-campaigns/News/VIRGIN-UPDATE.aspx

No progress so far then.....

Just popped up on the BALPA site


http://www.balpa.org/News-and-campaigns ... PDATE.aspx

Hi Darren

I'm not sure.....it could still go either way from what Balpa has said..... I would have hoped for something concrete today though - each day this continues, the more negative effect it has on VS's untarnished, strike-free reputation... SRB could have fixed this by now if he had the will and the means.

Just heard on ITN news that the talks failed today.

To restart next week.

If they had been close I would have said resume so interesting use of language on the report.

Anyway as long as they are talking it means there is a hope that the strikes can be avoided (fingers crossed !)

just because the talks ended today and they are not due to meet again until next does not mean they 'failed'. If they had 'failed' then BALPA would not have said they would resume next week and would also have probbaly annouced strike dates more or less there and then.

The 'break' will no doubt be used by both parties to have their own internal discussions and consult with others.

To me restart / resume are the same thing and the BALPA website says 'resume'

I feel this is positive, perhaps the discussions are getting somewhere and VS have perhaps put a proposal on the table to be given thought over the weekend!

Fingers crossed for everyone due to fly soon!

Am I right in saying that once and if they decide to strike they have to give seven clear days notice, if so, if they do not decide until Monday then the earliest they could walk out is the following Tuesday. I ask because I fly on Monday 11th

Now who does not care to work over the weekend?
Balpa or management?

Am I right in saying that once and if they decide to strike they have to give seven clear days notice, if so, if they do not decide until Monday then the earliest they could walk out is the following Tuesday. I ask because I fly on Monday 11th

Not really. If talks fail or they (the Pilots) decide to call a strike to show how serious they are (like the strike yesterday) then, for example, the Union can announce a strike at 1200hrs on Monday to take effect from 1200hrs the following Monday; that is why strikes are normally announced in hours rather than days of duration. What worries me is that they are not working through the weekend to try and find a suitable acceptable solution rather they are "restarting" on Monday (ITN were very specific about the wording)

Now who does not care to work over the weekend?
Balpa or management?

I think they will both be working over the weekend but just not talking to each other - this happens all the time in management / union negotiations. Sometimes you can just talk yourselves into an impass. A weekend 'off' is not necessarily a bad thing AND it is a good sign that talks will resume on Monday.

Each side will no doubt be reflecting on the talks so far and consulting on what has been offered / counter offered.

And Hec if BALPA say the talks will resume on Monday I will go with what BALPA say rather than ITN.

I understand that a strike must commence within 28 days from the ballot date and that 7 days notice must be given prior to a strike commencing! but what i am unable to ascertain is whether there is a maximum period between the 1st and last notified strike dates, is it weeks or months ?|

Does anyone know?

Getting a bit worried about this as I fly on the 12th. Had this booked for months, when BA were on strike ironically.

If I'm delayed on the way out I'll be out of pocket for my conference registration fee + hotel deposit. Coming back home it doesn't matter so much as I'll just camp out in SF until I can get back to blighty.

Despite my potential financial loss I have some sympathy for the pilots but I'm really hoping it gets resolved without strikes.

Martin

Now who does not care to work over the weekend?
Balpa or management?

You think one group doesn't? That's a bit myopic.

Getting a bit worried about this as I fly on the 12th. Had this booked for months, when BA were on strike ironically.

If I'm delayed on the way out I'll be out of pocket for my conference registration fee + hotel deposit. Coming back home it doesn't matter so much as I'll just camp out in SF until I can get back to blighty.

Despite my potential financial loss I have some sympathy for the pilots but I'm really hoping it gets resolved without strikes.

Martin

This is why good travel insurance exists, though it is a shame if you have none, or you don't have a policy covering you for strikes.

I understand that a strike must commence within 28 days from the ballot date and that 7 days notice must be given prior to a strike commencing! but what i am unable to ascertain is whether there is a maximum period between the 1st and last notified strike dates, is it weeks or months ?|

Does anyone know?

ISTBC but I think the 28 day period restarts from the end of the strike period. If negotiations seem to be heading in the right direction, but a deadline cones close in terms of calling a strike we might see a "token" strike be announced that has no real operational impact (a bit like the 9pm to 3am strike called on the Tube by the RMT th other Sunday).

Now who does not care to work over the weekend?
Balpa or management?

You think one group doesn't? That's a bit myopic.

Actually I thought it was me that was a bit Miopyk )

Miopyk 8D

If I've got a UK-US-UK flight booked with VAA, and separately a hotel (booked through the VAA web site - but I believe the bookings actually with VH) and the pilots decide to strike, what are VAA's responsibilities to me in terms of;

A) finding me another flight (outbound) and
B) covering accom cost (whilst wating for inbound) if (for the sake of this example - my flight back is delayed 1 or 2 days).
C) any other travel cost (accom mainly) I might incur as a result of delays caused by the Virgin pilots?

I'm thinking about how people booked with Virgin Holidays were looked after during the Ash-Cloud problems last year, and how this would work (or not!) for someone who's booked flights and hotel direct with Virgin (on a Virgin Black Amex) rather than a package deal?

Thx.

[Neil]

You aren't booked as part of a package, so you won't be covered the same as if you had booked a package through VH.

I was afraid you'd say that...