The Virgin Strike Thread (Merged)
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Union members among Virgin Atlantic cabin crew will strike twice in the new year after they voted in favour of industrial action. The strikes will run for 48 hours each, starting at 0600 on Wednesday 9 January and from 0600 on Friday 18 January.
Unite union members say Virgin crews are underpaid compared with their counterparts at other airlines.
They voted 71% in favour of taking the first industrial action in the airline's history.
Unite union members say Virgin crews are underpaid compared with their counterparts at other airlines.
They voted 71% in favour of taking the first industrial action in the airline's history.
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Anyone know the number of votes returned? 71% is a fair response, although not overwhelming - but it does depend on the % of crew who returned their ballots as to how much of a statement the 71% makes...
Good Luck folks, here's hoping for a positive outcome...
Good Luck folks, here's hoping for a positive outcome...
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Unite national officer,
Virgin Atlantic's cabin crew have voted for strike action for the first time in the airlines history. They've not taken this decision lightly, they are a world class crew who've been undervalued for too long. They are seeking a long term solution to pay which recognises their loyalty and professionalism.
“Unite is calling on Virgin Atlantic to get back around the negotiating table to get through this impasse and avoid disruption in the New Year.”
All Virgin cabin crew unite members should now go to our CAT Sector/Virgin Atlantic page, and ensure that they read the " Call for Action Notice", and the associated "letter to members". This provides important information to all our Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew Membership".
-Ends-
Virgin Atlantic's cabin crew have voted for strike action for the first time in the airlines history. They've not taken this decision lightly, they are a world class crew who've been undervalued for too long. They are seeking a long term solution to pay which recognises their loyalty and professionalism.
“Unite is calling on Virgin Atlantic to get back around the negotiating table to get through this impasse and avoid disruption in the New Year.”
All Virgin cabin crew unite members should now go to our CAT Sector/Virgin Atlantic page, and ensure that they read the " Call for Action Notice", and the associated "letter to members". This provides important information to all our Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew Membership".
-Ends-
Last edited by vsfsm; 20th Dec 2007 at 14:06.
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Ah, now we see the kind of support they have really received. 71% of union members who voted are in favour of strike action. What they don't mention is that those who voted for strike action represent just 30% of all the Cabin Crew at Virgin Atlantic.
The union balloted 3,100 workers of whom 2,102 voted, with 1,497 voting in favour of strike action.
Good luck because you are going to need it with those kinds of numbers. As expected, the majority will have been led into this because of the apathy of the CC workforce not being bothered to use their votes.
70% of the Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew workforce have either voted against a strike or not expressed any opinion. It'll be interesting to see the picket lines on those dates. Especially the 18th, a Friday.
The union balloted 3,100 workers of whom 2,102 voted, with 1,497 voting in favour of strike action.
Good luck because you are going to need it with those kinds of numbers. As expected, the majority will have been led into this because of the apathy of the CC workforce not being bothered to use their votes.
70% of the Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew workforce have either voted against a strike or not expressed any opinion. It'll be interesting to see the picket lines on those dates. Especially the 18th, a Friday.
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Makes me sick!
If you don't like the terms on offer then leave....simple as that. From what I hear Virgin are hardly short of people applying for trolly dolly jobs? Why should Virgin pay more than the market deems necessary?
If you don't like the terms on offer then leave....simple as that. From what I hear Virgin are hardly short of people applying for trolly dolly jobs? Why should Virgin pay more than the market deems necessary?
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Kasual Observer
What if it were cold and wet as well? Good job we live in such tropical climes. That should ensure a big turn out of pickets.
Sad news, but there we go. At least we now know the complete apathy and lack of interest in this whole debacle.
That's my last comment on this subject. Good luck to everyone. Remember that be you Cabin Crew, Pilot, engineer, cleaner, manager or whatever, we are in this mess together by default.
Happy Christmas and hopefully a less provocative New Year to one and all.
What if it were cold and wet as well? Good job we live in such tropical climes. That should ensure a big turn out of pickets.
Sad news, but there we go. At least we now know the complete apathy and lack of interest in this whole debacle.
That's my last comment on this subject. Good luck to everyone. Remember that be you Cabin Crew, Pilot, engineer, cleaner, manager or whatever, we are in this mess together by default.
Happy Christmas and hopefully a less provocative New Year to one and all.
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Unite has over 3200 members. Regardless of how many didn't return a ballot all members now have the right to strike and i'll be willing to bet that most of the members will take the oppertunity to strike.
Most of the members who did not vote either did not recieve a ballot or didn't vote because they though it would be detrimental to their job to vote in favour of industrial action. The decision has been made for them and now they can be assured that they can take action.
The company must step in to try to come to some agreement asap.
Most of the members who did not vote either did not recieve a ballot or didn't vote because they though it would be detrimental to their job to vote in favour of industrial action. The decision has been made for them and now they can be assured that they can take action.
The company must step in to try to come to some agreement asap.
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I've flown with a lot of crew recently who didn't receive their ballot paper. Disappointing they didn't bother to call the union and ask for one to be sent out though.
Also, a lot of crew were concerned that the ballot papers had serial numbers written on them. Many crew commented they were worried that this could lead to their ballot paper being traced back to them.
Good result though. We now need to get onto the union and tell them what we want.
*increase in basic
*increase in trip pay £18 per sector is a joke (to be in line with other airlines)
*long range allowance - similiar to BA box payments for long flights
*stand down time after trips the same as BA (would also help with high hours problem)
*no extra standby
*General problems such as waiting 45 mins in cold stairs of airbridge for bus back to LHR check in area. Allowances reduced as an when the company wants. Waiting for hotel rooms for 3hr in some cases.
*Some system of bidding for LHR or LGW trips would be nice
*Part time available for everyone. I'm sure its discrimination to only offer P/T to females with kids. What about guys? or females or aren't able to have children?
*Abiding by European law of a 20min rest break after 6hrs duty (this would be from check in time). If we don't get crew rest then after 6hrs we are legally entitled to a 20min break away from customers. I've worked for other airlines that abided by this law and its easy to do. You just have to modify the service sometimes.
If I was taking home £1200 into my bank account each month I would be happy, allowances on top. The current situation of less than £900 basic is not substainable.
Also, a lot of crew were concerned that the ballot papers had serial numbers written on them. Many crew commented they were worried that this could lead to their ballot paper being traced back to them.
Good result though. We now need to get onto the union and tell them what we want.
*increase in basic
*increase in trip pay £18 per sector is a joke (to be in line with other airlines)
*long range allowance - similiar to BA box payments for long flights
*stand down time after trips the same as BA (would also help with high hours problem)
*no extra standby
*General problems such as waiting 45 mins in cold stairs of airbridge for bus back to LHR check in area. Allowances reduced as an when the company wants. Waiting for hotel rooms for 3hr in some cases.
*Some system of bidding for LHR or LGW trips would be nice
*Part time available for everyone. I'm sure its discrimination to only offer P/T to females with kids. What about guys? or females or aren't able to have children?
*Abiding by European law of a 20min rest break after 6hrs duty (this would be from check in time). If we don't get crew rest then after 6hrs we are legally entitled to a 20min break away from customers. I've worked for other airlines that abided by this law and its easy to do. You just have to modify the service sometimes.
If I was taking home £1200 into my bank account each month I would be happy, allowances on top. The current situation of less than £900 basic is not substainable.
Last edited by back2front; 20th Dec 2007 at 14:32.
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G-UNIT
They are paying less than the market dictates
Thats the whole point. You obviously haven't listened to what the crew and unite have been saying all along.
They want parity with our cometitors. Why shouldn't they?
They are paying less than the market dictates
Thats the whole point. You obviously haven't listened to what the crew and unite have been saying all along.
They want parity with our cometitors. Why shouldn't they?
Last edited by vsfsm; 20th Dec 2007 at 14:33.
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Just to re-itterate
All Unite members now have the right to go on strike regardless of how you voted. Now is the time for action we must all stand together and show the industry that we will not stand for these conditions any longer.
Lets get out and inform all members that we must get behind this and show the company that we will not stand being messed around any longer.
We can all take action regardless of how the company try to spin this.
All Unite members now have the right to go on strike regardless of how you voted. Now is the time for action we must all stand together and show the industry that we will not stand for these conditions any longer.
Lets get out and inform all members that we must get behind this and show the company that we will not stand being messed around any longer.
We can all take action regardless of how the company try to spin this.
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That is true G-UNIT but they can't replace the experience of the people who are in more senior positions already and it is these people who voted no and these peple who are willing to walk out the door.
The return in favour from the ballot may only be 30 or 40% of the total number of crew but that number includes mostly all the senior crew who are the ones who are D-FIB trained.
Not to forget all the crew who will take advantage of the strike just to get out of certain trips. It's sad but there are a lot of crew who will do this. Add this to the amount of crew who where too scared to vote in favour of action but who will now realise that the decision is done so they may aswell.
The company will not run when these people walk out the door.
30 or 40% will become 70 or 80%
Would you want to risk that?
The return in favour from the ballot may only be 30 or 40% of the total number of crew but that number includes mostly all the senior crew who are the ones who are D-FIB trained.
Not to forget all the crew who will take advantage of the strike just to get out of certain trips. It's sad but there are a lot of crew who will do this. Add this to the amount of crew who where too scared to vote in favour of action but who will now realise that the decision is done so they may aswell.
The company will not run when these people walk out the door.
30 or 40% will become 70 or 80%
Would you want to risk that?
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Sadly, it seems that a minority of CC have achieved a vote to stop the airline working. I very much hope that the Company and the Union can find a way to get back to the negotiating table before any action takes place, so that the impact on the Company - and all of its employees - is minimised.
I think you've done the wrong thing, but I wish you all - and all of us - luck this Christmas.
I think you've done the wrong thing, but I wish you all - and all of us - luck this Christmas.
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Good luck Guys, Stand firm and don't get sold down the river like we did at BA. You are really underpaid ( I think you have the lowest cabin crew pay in the UK) But you are the most glam. You deserve more.