The Professional Pilots Union (PPU) is holding a ballot today, asking members if they wish to take industrial action over the issue of union recognition.
PPU launched in 2013 with the aim of becoming “the representative union for all pilots across the UK”.
It currently restricts its membership to Virgin Atlantic, and claims to represent 70% of its pilots - 543.
Virgin Atlantic claims the percentage of pilots to be balloted by PPU is 59%, based on the number of pilots that PPU has informed the company will receive the ballot paper, compared to its pilot headcount.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “We proactively work with our recognised unions, Balpa (The British Airline Pilots Association) and Unite, in a professional and constructive relationship.
“We have received notification from an unrecognised union representing some of our pilots with its intention to ballot for industrial action, which we believe to be a work to rule.
“We value our pilot workforce enormously and have offered to have dialogue with the unrecognised union.
“We would like to reassure customers that all Virgin Atlantic flights continue to operate as normal.”
A PPU spokesperson added: “At a time when democracy has never been higher on the agenda, the democratic wishes of our pilots are simply being ignored.
"Although the PPU has been given verbal assurances from the company’s management, the reality is that after nearly two years of fruitless negotiations, a resolution to the issue of union recognition is as far away as ever.
“Talks have continually stalled and Virgin Atlantic will not commit to any tangible timescale to re-engage in discussions, let alone reach agreement.
“Our members are highly skilled flight safety professionals who constantly deliver to millions of Virgin Atlantic passengers and have done so for 32 years.
"With the company failing to attend even recent de-escalation talks with Acas, the PPU finds itself in the regrettable position of having to follow the mandate of its members and ballot for industrial action in pursuit of timely and appropriate union recognition.”
The ballot is for action short of a strike – the withdrawal of pilot goodwill – which may encompass actions such as work to rule and refusal to work overtime.
PPU anticipates this will leave “a significant number of flights not covered for the duration of the action”.
If PPU members ballot in favour of industrial action, it is likely to take place seven days after the ballot closes and the company has been notified – around August 24.
The PPU claims there has been considerable interest from other airlines’ pilots in joining.
