Virgin pilots to strike at Xmas

PILOTS at Virgin Atlantic are to strike during the Christmas period in a longrunning dispute over union recognition.

The Professional Pilots Union, which represents about a third of pilots at the airline, said it was excluded from talks over proposed changes to benefits.

Its members voted by more than 7-1 to strike from December 22 to Christmas Day. Spokesman Steve Johnson said the PPU was ‘shut out’ of negotiations and pilots were being ‘ignored’.

Which? travel editor Rory Boland said: ‘This is deeply worrying for families and people desperate to see loved ones over the Christmas period, especially with the strike action potentially starting on one of the busiest travel days of the year.’

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman added: ‘We’re working hard to protect all trips.’