TightSlot

Here goes, Part III - although it now looks as though everybody is happy again - Good!

016FSM

Monday 7 January 2008 - 5.54pm
UNITE THE UNION CALLS OFF PLANNED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT VIRGIN ATLANTIC

Virgin Atlantic and Unite the union today agreed a resolution to the current dispute over pay. Unite has now called off the industrial action planned for 9, 10, 16 and 17 January 2008.

Both parties agreed that the prolonged discussions had been potentially damaging to the current relationship between the company, its cabin crew and the union.

The agreement includes a two-year deal with a 4.8% increase in year one and a guarantee of RPI in year two. In addition to the increases to crew trip pay, there is a commitment to review its calculation as of April 2009.

The deal also allows for previously-agreed increases to other variable elements of cabin crew pay and a commitment by both parties to review the current consultative structure.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, commented:

"We are pleased that both sides have managed to avert strike action that was planned for this week and next. The outcome is a triumph of common sense and means that our passengers need not worry about getting to their destinations.

“Our cabin crew are the best flying and continue to provide the highest standards of customer service. This agreement will enable us to focus on continuing to offer the best service to our customers."

Brian Boyd, National Officer, Unite, added:

“This agreement recognises the important contribution cabin crew make to the business and I am of the firm opinion that we now have the opportunity to ensure an improved relationship with Virgin Atlantic in the future.”

scoobydooo

I had given up drinking for the Month of January but if that monthly standby is gone I might just have to break that rule.

trollytom

If Our Crew Are The Best Dickie As You Say Why Not Pay Us The Best Hahah!!!

fatties

So, does this mean we still get back pay????

trollytom

yes we better get the back pay or it will be all back on faster than you can say IFLY how about increasing the crew down payments and offering hotac to us as they obviously can do it if they want to!!!

016FSM

I believe the company finally realised that they couldn't pull it off and run a near normal schedule without us!!! They also now know that if they don't negotiate fairly in the future and come up with a decent offer without taking things away, it will no longer be accepted.

I think this has been a good lesson for all concerned and we have all learnt from it and SRB's statement will never be forgotten! It has made us all realise that if we ALL stick together, we CAN make an impact!! The company cannot run this airline without their crew!!

We have our rise as small as it may be, but we have had nothing taken away from us, we still have our airshare and the same compliment of crew on each aircraft!!

Let's all look forward now to the next negotiations and hope that other matters can also be addressed such as crew down and delay payments. I think most of the crew will be very pleased with this outcome!! Let's now get back to doing what most of us love doing, flying for Virgin.

saz71

So are we as crew claiming a victory? Has anybody come out of this without egg on their face? What happens now? Do we pretend it never happened?
I am pleased that it didn't end in a strike and I hope that both sides will see that there are lessons to be learnt.
I have followed all the strike threads on pprune with great interest and have gained more infomation on here than I have ever recieved from the company or the union.
Maybe the people who have been posting so enthusastically (sic) on here will take the bull by the horns and get the communication between union/managment/crew flowing.
Happy New Year everyone, lets hope it is a good one!

scoobydooo

VS_LHR - fancy a beer at some point to chew the fat ? or a wine if that is your tipple ?

greigok

Actually look's like it was the union that backed down and not Virgin. I think the union realised how many yes voters to strike decided to email Paul Powell and co and tell them they were going to work.

016FSM

Trust you to look at it in a negative light for the crew!! I believe the company realised they couldn't pull it off and they would have had to cancel more than 3 flights!!

They may have kept the offer the same, but all conditions have been removed and we have proven that we will no longer be walked over!! NOBODY knows on either side, jush how many crew would ACTUALLY have turned up for work, it may have been 10 it may have been 800! Thankfully it's something that we'll never know for sure!!

scoobydooo

Each side will claim it was the other that would of failed, does it really matter - No is the answer. What does matter is that there was communications and hopefully someone bashed a couple of skulls together.

If the new offer does not have the original caveats why would that be ?, it would support the unions strength, if the offer is exactly the same as the last one, it will support the companies strength. I await the details of the proposal which ended what would of been a sad day in the companies history.

greigok

Actually i think's it's cause the union could not make as much destruction as they thought and all flights would go ahead.

Hence alot of strike voters calling into volunteer or did u completely miss Paul Powell's post. Guess the crew were not as united as u thought.

End of the day stop complaining and saying the company have given in...ur getting 9.1% pay rise. So stop biting at any positive comment made on here for the company.

sidestick320

Wasn't the offer which was declined by the Cabin Crew the same as what has just been accepted??

Am I missing something here??

The Cabin Crew voted for strike turning down a 4.8% rise in year 1, followed by RPI in year 2!!!

It seems to me that is now EXACTLY what Unite have just accepted!??

greigok

Agree Scooby!

Least the payrise is definate now and hopefully everyone will be able to sit down and talk like adults.

Been good debating with you for and against.

scoobydooo

likewise greigok. until next time

magicE

I'm sorry but how anyone on either side can say this was a victory is laughable.

Firstly can anyone say for sure what if any of the conditions have been dropped and secondly this whole affair has damaged the company, the staff and the relationship between the two parties.

I cant see that as a VICTORY. I think the victory will be when the company and the crew get off their high horses and try to sort something out that will never let it get to the stage it did again.

Dont get me wrong, i'm glad the strike is now off but untill more information comes out no one has WON, nor it should be the case that anyone should have to WIN.

Please please dont let this happen again(both parties) It doesnt help anything!!!!

vs_lhr

So; now that the strike problem has been resolved, are crew planning to address the problem of the union which caused this mess in the first place?

sign-it-to-your-room

Is it just me or are the details of the offer we have accepted vague?

pokergirl

extremley vague! Surely the union cant accept the same offer as last turned down by the crew. Without ant consultation. The conditions must have been removed !