Unite recommends rejection of Virgin Atlantic pay offer
Thursday 28 June 2007
Unite (Amicus section), the UK’s largest union, is recommending that its’ members, who are employed as cabin crew, reject the derisory ‘full and final’ pay offer from Virgin Atlantic.
Unite will be conducting a consultative ballot of it’s 2,800 members after six months of negotiations. This will be the second ballot after members rejected an original offer in April of just 2% over 18 months.
The latest offer, a 40 month deal, which Unite calculate to be 5.3% over the first 2 years, representing an increase of half the rate of inflation. The third year is RPI.
Unite National Officer, Brian Boyd, says:
“The Union believe that this offer does not adequately reflect the loyalty and dedication of its cabin crew and are asking for nothing more than an increase to basic pay of 4.8% which was the RPI as of April this year.
“Virgin Atlantic have to stop giving wealthy individuals tickets to the moon, and start giving their loyal and dedicated workforce a wage which at least recognises the cost of living in the UK.”
If the Unite members reject the pay offer then the Union will move to an industrial action ballot.
Ends
For further information contact Martin Scanlon, Unite press office 020 7420 8934 or 07764 655751
Notes for editors
Pay offer is a 3year plus 4 month deal. (40 months total)
Basic rate increase in the first 27 months of 6.4%. Due to date of increase being moved twice Unite calculate this to be 5.3% over the first 2 years.
There will be no increase to trip pay and other variable elements of pay in the first 15 months of deal.
Third year will see increase at current RPI.
Other pay deals negotiated for cabin crew at other airlines:
British Airways – 4.6%
British Midland – 4%
Thomas Cook – 4.6%
Monarch – RPI over two years and holiday entitlement
GB Airways – 4.8%
Ballot papers will be going out 29th June and closes 24th July