Virgin Atlantic pilots call off strike threat

Virgin Atlantic Airways pilots represented by the British Airline Pilots' Assn. withdrew their threat of a strike after reaching a last-minute pay deal with management. Pilots had voted to strike for the first time in the airline's history as part of their ongoing dispute over pay and conditions with management (ATW Daily News, May 18).

The content of the agreement was not disclosed but BALPA said details of the offer will be made public once it has been communicated to its members. The offer will be put to pilots in a ballot and the result will likely be announced in three weeks. 

“We can confirm that negotiations are now concluded and BALPA will present a pay offer to its members over the coming weeks,” said VS. “The threat of strike action has now been removed and our flying schedule remains completely unaffected.”

BALPA General Secretary Jim McAuslan said, “Pilots have never wished to inconvenience the traveling public, especially those looking forward to summer holidays. We have therefore lifted the threat of strike action.”