Virgin Blue Pilots in Strike Threat

Published: 25/02/07

Virgin Blue is facing the threat of a damaging strike by pilots just as it seeks to launch an all-new long haul international service. An agreement over pay and conditions for pilots at the airline has not been reached despite nearly two years of negotiations, and patience amongst staff has boiled over.

The airline has offered a settlement that will see pilots receive a salary of AUD154000 per year (about GBP60,000) with various overtime benefits, although productivity amongst pilots will have to improve, with an increase in the number of hours to be worked to rise to 850 per year from the current 767.

It is thought that the pilots want their pay to rise to more than AUD170,000, and for back pay to be paid for additional hours over the last few years.

It is important for the airline to get a quick resolution to the pay issue ahead of the launch of flights to Sydney from Los Angeles later this year.

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