Branson tells strikers to resign

Virgin Atlantic is a key transatlantic carrier operating from main airports

Sir Richard Branson has told Virgin Atlantic staff who are threatening to strike over a wage deal offered by the airline to consider working elsewhere.

In a letter to 4,800 cabin crew, the Virgin boss warned he would not be meeting pay demands.

Workers' union Unite called the letter from Sir Richard "provocative".

It comes after union members voted to strike in January in protest over pay levels they say are lower than at other airlines, including British Airways.

The 48-hour strikes are scheduled for 9 and 10 January, and 16 and 17 January.


For some of you, more pay than Virgin Atlantic can afford may be critical to your lifestyle and if that is the case you should consider working elsewhere
Sir Richard Branson

The strikes are not the only industrial action scheduled by aviation workers for January.

Union members at airport operator BAA had called for strikes on 7, 14 and 17-18 January.

However, the first of the three strikes - set for 7 January - was called off on Monday.

'Dangerous precedent'?

In his letter, Sir Richard said Virgin Atlantic had "drawn a line in the sand" over pay this year.

"To go further would result in unacceptable risks and would set a dangerous precedent to the company as a whole," he added.

"It would be irresponsible of our management and they, rightly, are not going to take that risk."

Sir Richard admitted that rival airlines often offered better basic wages but said that they did not offer the perks that came with working for a "smaller, more friendly" company.

And he added: "For some of you, more pay than Virgin Atlantic can afford may be critical to your lifestyle and if that is the case you should consider working elsewhere."

'Unhelpful'

Virgin Atlantic has previously said that there would be no "eleventh hour change to our pay offer".

The airline said its offer was worth 8.3% on basic pay over two years, with a 4.8% increase offered in the first year.

A Unite spokesperson said the letter was "unhelpful in resolving the dispute" and would "only make people more upset".

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said that since the letter was sent, a number of union members had contacted management offering to cross the picket line and work on the strike days.

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Showing up every day isn't enough. There are a lot of guys who show up every day who shouldn't have showed up at all. - James Caan

4.8 & 3.5% ? That's not too shabby...I don't see what they are complaining about. I wish my union would've negotiated those kinds of increases.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Beats my last two pay increases and I beat the average in my office for those two years.

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Greg Schwall

1983 300SD - 465,000 miles

It does not sound bad to me either.

Not many folks are getting such raises. Of course we don't know how long it has been since they had a raise, so if it has been ten years it might not be so great.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Are pay raises in Great Britan the same as here ? Has cost of living risen the same amount as here ?

(not trying to be smart, I just don't know)

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

unions.......BAH!
organized whining.

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

4.8 what are they bit**ing about- we are grateful to get 2.5 each year.

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

They dug up 1/2 of Michigan and still can't find Jimmy.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I thought 4.8% sounded pretty damned good. Nobody guarantees me anything . . .

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Ah, but you see, that is basically an average raise that they can give for the excellent performers and the lousy performers. I want to be able to say "I'm worth 6%. If you don't think so, I can take my act elsewhere.". If your performance sucks, you can be ridden over which is the way it should be.

Before I joined a certain company there were 3 guys there. 2 of whom were stellar in their performance. They told the boss that they had offers of $1.60 an hour above what they were currently making. Also, if they didn't see some kick ass raises next review, they would walk. They got it. The 3rd was not worth much. They gave him a $0.15 cent raise. Is that fair? I think so. Now, why would the 2 good guys want a fixed raise calculated with all 3 people's performance lumped up together? Sure it would be good for the 3rd but not for the 2 good ones.

If you worked your tail off for a good grade in class, would you want the instructor to give everybody a grade that reflects the class average? I think not. However, if you got an "F", you would love it.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow