96% of union members support a vote on industrial action, according to a Balpa (British Airline Pilots’ Association) survey of Virgin Atlantic pilots.
The poll found that many pilots have “serious concerns” about fatigue and scheduling that was put in place during the Covid-19 outbreak and is scheduled to cease later this year.
Over 88% of pilots reported having witnessed a mistake made by a colleague while they were on duty, according to the statistics, which Balpa has forwarded to Virgin.
According to LBC, the approximately 800 pilots at Virgin have flown 20% more under the current roster.
According to reports, Virgin is ready to start talking in the coming weeks.
“We continue to honor all agreements and have offered to enter formal pay and lifestyle negotiations with Balpa’s pilot union representatives in the coming weeks, well in advance of the agreement expiring in December,” a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic told the BBC.
The airline said that Balpa representatives within Virgin Atlantic helped to develop the current salary and lifestyle arrangement.
“Our members have registered a trade dispute with Virgin Atlantic arising out of serious concerns relating to pilot fatigue and wellbeing around scheduling and rostering arrangements, implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic,” a spokesperson for Balpa said.
An anonymous Virgin pilot told LBC that the airline’s pilots were not requesting more money, but rather a roster that would allow them to work safely.
