Virgin Atlantic Pilots to Walk the Picket Lines on Christmas

A number of pilots at Virgin Atlantic will take strike action over the Christmas period. Pilots represented by the Professional Pilots Union will strike from December 22nd until Christmas Day, on December 25th.

The dispute is centered on union recognition, the PPU said. The union, which represents about a third of pilots at the airline, said it was excluded from talks over proposed changes to pilot benefits.

Pilots are expected to hold further strikes should the dispute not be resolved. Virgin Atlantic said it did not expect any disruption to its schedule.

The PPU said 72 percent of its Virgin Atlantic members turned out for a ballot, and 71.5 percent of those who voted backed strike action.

The other strikes are planned for December 30th to January 2nd and January 2nd-7th January inclusive.