vs lhr
This is where the problem is. When you put crew pay below every other cost within your business, you are heading for trouble. Sorry, you have arrived at trouble. The cost of lost business due to industrial action will have to be judged against the cost of a pay rise (whether is % rise or lifestyle) and its future cost.
Obviously, the glam appeal of working for Virgin is wearing/has definitely worn off of 1500 crew and who knows how many others. This needs to be fixed. It is as costly today as any future oil price increases or investment in the future.
You have to pay for oil, you have to pay airport fees, you have to pay your staff. If the first two go up, it does not mean that the last one has to stay where it is.