Virgin Atlantic won a High Court injunction yesterday against a union representing a minority of its pilots going on strike over the Christmas period.
Members of the Professional Pilots Union (PPU), which says it represents around a third of the airline’s pilots, were due to stage a series of walkouts in a row over union recognition from tomorrow (Saturday) and into the new year.
The PPU called the walkouts over its exclusion from talks on changes to pilot benefits.
PPU members were due to strike over three four-day periods, the first of which will run from 12.01am on December 22 until 11.59pm on December 25, followed by other dates through until March.
Virgin Atlantic did not say on what grounds the court granted the injunction.
However, the carrier had argued that the strike action would be unlawful because the union failed to properly notify it of the number and category of employees the PPU was balloting for strike action, and the dates on which the strike would take place.
The airline said in a statement: “We’re pleased that the High Court has granted an injunction. We took the decision to go to court reluctantly, but we felt it necessary to ensure that our customers will be able to travel over the festive period as planned.
“With the significant disruption to flights already caused by today’s closure of Gatwick airport, our utmost priority is now getting our customers to their destinations over the festive period.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the overwhelming majority of our pilots who have offered to take on extra work this Christmas, to make sure our flights are protected.
“We continue to encourage anyone due to travel with us this week to check details of their flight and ensure their contact details are added to their booking.”
The PPU said it was disappointed by the ruling, which it said was partially upheld on a ballot technicality, and will study the judgment before deciding its next move.
“It’s rather a pyrrhic victory for the airline as they still have hundreds of angry and disgruntled pilots in their workforce,” the union said.
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