Issued recently fromt he union
Dear Colleague,
Re Industrial Update
Following on from my recent letter, I thought it would be helpful to update you on the process that will follow as we move towards the ballot for industrial action.
The process of conducting such a ballot requires a thorough check on our membership details which has now been completed. Our legal department are now also conducting a crosscheck on this information before any formal correspondence is sent to Virgin Atlantic advising them of the next step in this process.
We thought it was important, however, to remind you that your representatives are currently operating to their flying roster during this dispute with the company. Representational issues involving disciplinary and grievance procedures are, however, continuing and will be supported on your behalf by your reps.
As you are also no doubt aware, there are several outstanding issues, other than pay, still being dealt with through the grievance procedure, two of which are;
Late Payment of Allowances
The uplift in the subsistence allowances that you recently received in 2007 was in fact monies owed from 2006! – 2007 monies are still owed and have yet to be submitted to the Inland Revenue for approval, thus the delay in receiving the correct monies is still ongoing!!
Part Time Crew
Part time crew may be working too many days in relation to their contracts and therefore not receiving the correct payments. This issue should have been reviewed in August 2007 and as a result leaves the policy open to possible challenge if an agreement is not achieved.
Other Issues
Hotel moves out of Manhattan(VS017/001) into New Brunswick, not to mention the 5 hour wait for crew rooms on the Friday ANU!, issues over car park passes, promotion, missing variable payments, 900 hour roster equitability, Crew Down and so the list goes on!
It is vital therefore that as members you engage and support your representatives on all of the issues that continue to have an effect on your terms and conditions at Virgin Atlantic.
We do, however, need this support, not only in relation to delivering a pay award that is acceptable, but also in increasing our strength and standing within Virgin Atlantic, that will allow us to resolve these and other industrial issues on your behalf.
Your continued support is vital.
Yours sincerely