Virgin Atlantic cabin crew have voted to strike over pay in January, planning two 48-hour walk-outs.
More than 3,000 staff were balloted by union Unite, voting 71% in favour of the first strikes in the carrier’s history.
The first 48-hour stoppage is scheduled to begin on Wednesday January 9 at 6am and the second the following week at the same time, with services resumed at 6am on the Friday.
The crew want an enhanced pay deal after rejecting a 4.8% increase for the current year and inflation-matched rise next. Disaffection with Virgin’s pay structure appears acute, since the deal was rejected against the recommendation of union officials.
Unite national official Brian Boyd called on the carrier to “get back around the negotiating table”. He said: “Virgin Atlantic cabin crew have not taken this decision lightly. They have been undervalued for too long.”
However, a Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said: “There are no talks planned at this stage.”