Virgin Atlantic pilots balloted over Christmas disruption

Virgin Atlantic’s largest pilots’ union — which the airline has yet to recognise — has started to ballot its members about industrial action that could lead to strikes over Christmas. In a letter to members, the Professional Pilots Union said anger at the airline’s recent review of pilot benefits was “merely a symptom” of its dissatisfaction with “the continued broken industrial landscape” within Virgin. The PPU represents 450 of Virgin’s 800 pilots but Virgin recognises only the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa). The letter continued: “The PPU has been in moderate industrial dispute with [Virgin] for two years . . . Despite considerable concessions from us there has been steadfastly no realistic engagement forthcoming.” It asked members to return ballot papers by Friday, December 7. Steve Johnson, spokesman for the PPU and a former senior Virgin Atlantic captain, said: “Unfortunately, the rhetoric from Mr Branson about the company looking after its staff does not seem to filter down to his senior management. We’re frozen out, and that’s unacceptable.”<br/>