Virgin Atlantic pilots to ballot for strike

Puploki; thank's for clearing that up. However, do employees really want to strike? Yes and no.

Yes - there are obviously issues within VS that the employees are not happy about and they have a right for these to be addressed, and if industrial action is the way that they wish to resolve this then so be it.

No - there is an amount of uncertainty with regard to striking; staff may feel unsure as to what can happen to them if they have not been informed by their union, and it is the whole damaging of the company brand which in turn will effectively reduce their chances of improved contractual benefits and improvements.

I would be very surprised if the VS staff announced a strike within the next few weeks or so; the overall goal is to continue negotiations and to acheive a result, not to bring the airline to a halt. This time frame gives VS management the opportunity to resolve the issues before the proposed industrial action.

I agree that the the threat of strikes is there more as a bargaining tool than anything, but we will see what BALPA have to announce later today.

Mr Square - the rules are quite clear. A union must give 7 days notice before a strike date. But strike action must also have started within 28 days of the announcent of the ballot result (though it can extend after that deadline) otherwise the union must re-ballot its members - a process that can take three weeks and which is also quite expensive.

So at present is a short window for negotiation but only of a week or so left. VS management are well aware of these deadlines so lets hope they are negotiating seriously or they will find themselves dealing with an actual strike and not just the threat of one.

I'm due to fly next Wednesday...

I'm due to fly next Wednesday...

Likewise, VS19.

I'm due to fly next Wednesday...

Likewise, VS19.

It's driving me mad not knowing what is happening, but on the other hand it's better for us if the dates aren't released today. I've got a load of wedding stuff to do but I'm glued to my laptop, looking for news...

I'm flying out next wedensday as well on VS900. Having read the strike thread on pprune, it seems that the pilots are not in the mood to back down. I was kinda disappointed with the reply to a chap who said he and his wife had saved for 3 years to get a holiday this year. The reply was 'typical selfishishness. You don't understand the issues'.

That said I really believe that the vast majority of VS pilots are sitting somewhat nervously today. The vote was overwhelming but I don't think pilots real want to strike despite what a few blowhards say.

I think the fact that BALPA hasn't rushed to publish dates is a good thing.

In the mean time, keeping everything crossed.

Best wishes,
Jess B.

I'm flying out next wedensday as well on VS900. Having read the strike thread on pprune, it seems that the pilots are not in the mood to back down. I was kinda disappointed with the reply to a chap who said he and his wife had saved for 3 years to get a holiday this year. The reply was 'typical selfishishness. You don't understand the issues'.

That said I really believe that the vast majority of VS pilots are sitting somewhat nervously today. The vote was overwhelming but I don't think pilots real want to strike despite what a few blowhards say.

I think the fact that BALPA hasn't rushed to publish dates is a good thing.

In the mean time, keeping everything crossed.

Best wishes,
Jess B.

I saw that too Jess - thought it was quite harsh...

I know. It was an odd response to say the least. If the pilots want public support for the strike, it's best not to chastise us for being 'selfish' in thinking we're entitled to fly, especially when we paid for the pleasure.

Fortunately I don't think that guy was representative of the pilots in general. A classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.

I'm flying out next wedensday as well on VS900. Having read the strike thread on pprune, it seems that the pilots are not in the mood to back down. I was kinda disappointed with the reply to a chap who said he and his wife had saved for 3 years to get a holiday this year. The reply was 'typical selfishishness. You don't understand the issues'.

Don't assume that reply came from a VS pilot.

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Don't assume that reply came from a VS pilot.

Oh I don't. Usually the loudest mouths are the furthest from the issues at hand.

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Don't assume that reply came from a VS pilot.

Oh I don't. Usually the loudest mouths are the furthest from the issues at hand.

Having read the Pprune pages I find some of the comments quite unbelievable. In the current economic climate any pay rises or offers must been seen as postive. I haven't had a pay rise for 2 years now due to the economy, I'm just glad to be in a job.

I fly (hopefully) to LAS on 26th July and I will be pretty cheesed off with VS and their pilots if this strike effects this.

Well, no news today it seems (missed the deadline for the evening news so I'll guess not) - even after BALPA said today's the day.

So, what does that mean ... negotiations and an outcome???

I know. It was an odd response to say the least. If the pilots want public support for the strike, it's best not to chastise us for being 'selfish' in thinking we're entitled to fly, especially when we paid for the pleasure.

Fortunately I don't think that guy was representative of the pilots in general. A classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Don't forget that pprune is designed for pilots and not joe public (even though we can register) and some of the pilot members will not necessarily like someone registering for the first time and posting a 'how dare you ruin my holiday' comment.

Not saying the response was correct but I can see where it came from.

Hopefully it means the strike dates aren't going to be announced today then....

I'm taking the lack of strike dates so far as a good sign. Hopefully it means that talks are ongoing and they may be close to a deal. Since this strike was announced the language used by the pilots was more 'we really don't want to do this, please stop us' as opposed to the BA CC strike language which was 'we will bring you down'. I do appriciate the pilots position, and I know that the views expressed on pprune probably are the exception rather than the rule.

If dates are announced I'll see it in two ways. If dates begin from next wedensday, then there's a great deal of anger on both sides. If however the dates are 3 weeks from now, I'll see that as a sign that both sides are still looking to settle, but just need time.

Fingers crossed then everyone!

Fingers crossed the pilots do sort out the strike threats it would be a huge favour to me and my travel to Orlando on July 27th!!! I'm worried now as it's 4 weeks til my flight and knowing my luck the pilots will strike!!! Meaning wasted money!! Haha
If they was to strike hypothetically will my travel dates be affected?? As flying upper class isn't the cheapest haha
Thanks

If they was to strike hypothetically will my travel dates be affected??

VS have an obligation to try and get you to your destination within a reasonable time and that includeds booking you onto a different carrier.

How successful (or not) that is depends on the destination and the other options available.

VS will also rely on a number of pax postponing their trips but thats not an option for everyone.

VS will also expect pax to be flexible too so if you were due to fly with VS from LGW and they offer you say UA from LHR then that would likely be deamed a suitable alternative. That would also include the offer of an earlier or a later flight the same date.

Some nosing around has revealed a few interesting facts. It turns out that there is no '7 day to name dates' rule, so it's not surprising then that we've heard nothing. Now for those of us traveling on the 6th of july, if we can survive tomorrow without dates being named, we'll be free to fly. the union must give 7 days notice before the first strike can begin. So 'Stressed' cross your fingers for tomorrow.

Finally, Balpa must name the strike dates by the 19th of July. After that date, any strike will be deemed illegal (That's my understanding of it.) that deadline may move if the union and VS management agree to an extension. This can be up to a further 8 weeks from the 19th.

I hope this information is useful. It doesn't make the waiting any easier though.

Best Wishes,
Jess B

Some nosing around has revealed a few interesting facts. It turns out that there is no '7 day to name dates' rule, so it's not surprising then that we've heard nothing. Now for those of us traveling on the 6th of july, if we can survive tomorrow without dates being named, we'll be free to fly. the union must give 7 days notice before the first strike can begin. So 'Stressed' cross your fingers for tomorrow.

Finally, Balpa must name the strike dates by the 19th of July. After that date, any strike will be deemed illegal (That's my understanding of it.) that deadline may move if the union and VS management agree to an extension. This can be up to a further 8 weeks from the 19th.

I hope this information is useful. It doesn't make the waiting any easier though.

Best Wishes,
Jess B

I really hope so because then if it's 8 weeks from 19th July I'll be able to go on my holiday haha but all I can do is sit and hope for the best at the present time! I'm pretty chilled just my girlfriend who's more worried but who can blame her! Just 4 weeks to go so got everything crossed!!! Need this holiday like a hole in the head haha

Some nosing around has revealed a few interesting facts. It turns out that there is no '7 day to name dates' rule, so it's not surprising then that we've heard nothing. Now for those of us traveling on the 6th of july, if we can survive tomorrow without dates being named, we'll be free to fly. the union must give 7 days notice before the first strike can begin. So 'Stressed' cross your fingers for tomorrow.

Finally, Balpa must name the strike dates by the 19th of July. After that date, any strike will be deemed illegal (That's my understanding of it.) that deadline may move if the union and VS management agree to an extension. This can be up to a further 8 weeks from the 19th.

I hope this information is useful. It doesn't make the waiting any easier though.

Best Wishes,
Jess B

Hey Jess,

Surely that day would have been today? If they announce it tomorrow, it wouldn't be a full days notice so wouldn't it start on the Thursday?

I'm taking the lack of strike dates so far as a good sign. Hopefully it means that talks are ongoing and they may be close to a deal. Since this strike was announced the language used by the pilots was more 'we really don't want to do this, please stop us' as opposed to the BA CC strike language which was 'we will bring you down'. I do appriciate the pilots position, and I know that the views expressed on pprune probably are the exception rather than the rule.

If dates are announced I'll see it in two ways. If dates begin from next wedensday, then there's a great deal of anger on both sides. If however the dates are 3 weeks from now, I'll see that as a sign that both sides are still looking to settle, but just need time.

Fingers crossed then everyone!

Trying to stay positive about this - I fly to Miami with my family on 27 July. Delay in announcing strike dates could mean talks behind the scenes or maybe it could mean they want to strike nearer the summer holidays and want to give as little notice as possible. Obviously I have no idea but having looked forward to this trip for 10 months (since not booking with BA because of their ongoing dispute at the time) feeling increasingly stressed by all this. Hopefully virgin can offer the pilots something as it can't be in their interests for this to drag on. Or maybe there is more to it than just pay...

Hey Jess,

Surely that day would have been today? If they announce it tomorrow, it wouldn't be a full days notice so wouldn't it start on the Thursday?

You're probably right. In that case yay.

I really hope so because then if it's 8 weeks from 19th July I'll be able to go on my holiday haha but all I can do is sit and hope for the best at the present time! I'm pretty chilled just my girlfriend who's more worried but who can blame her! Just 4 weeks to go so got everything crossed!!! Need this holiday like a hole in the head haha

The 8 weeks that Jess referes too - IF it were to be agreed to by VS and the Union - would be an extension of the period a strike could take place within. It does NOT mean that strikes will be postponed for 8 weeks and any strikes taking place after that.

The purpose of the extension would be to allow further talks to take place (including with ACAS) it is not a delaying tactic to postpone strikes. If the union felt that was what the company was doing they would just call a strike (and probbaly more than they would have done)

Just to clarify -

The union must give 7 days notice of its intention to strike on a particular date(s).

There is no requirement to announce strike days within 7 days of the ballot result. In theory it could announce strike dates on the 20th day after the ballot, give 7 days notice and still be legal.

Strike action must take place within 4 weeks of the date the ballot was announced. A union can announce further strike dates for after this date but a strike must have taken place within the 4 week period. This was the tactic the RMT used last week - it had a strike between 9.00PM and 3.00 AM to comply with the law and to 'reserve' other strike dates. (those were subsequently cancelled)

It is possible that this period can be extended by agreement by both the union and the company but under what circumstances this would happen I can't forsee.

I'll tell you how concerned I am about a strike...
I was suposed to fly out 26th June, I changed it to 30th JUne. The other day I changed it (again) to 10th July (return 17th July).
I really donn't think we will see a strike!!!