Sir Richard Branson has told Virgin Atlantic staff unhappy with the wages offered by the airline to quit.
Sir Richard Branson has told Virgin Atlantic staff who are threatening to strike over a wage deal offered by the airline to consider working elsewhere.
In a letter to 4,800 cabin crew, the Virgin boss warned he would not be meeting pay demands. Workers' union Unite called the letter "provocative".
In a letter to 4,800 cabin crew, the Virgin boss warned he would not be meeting pay demands.
Workers' union Unite called the letter from Sir Richard "provocative".
It comes after union members voted to strike in January in protest against pay they say is lower than at other airlines, including British Airways.
It comes after union members voted to strike in January in protest against pay they say is lower than at other airlines, including British Airways.
The 48-hour strikes are scheduled for 9 and 10 January, and 16 and 17 January.
The 48-hour strikes are scheduled for 9 and 10 January, and 16 and 17 January.
For some of you, more pay than Virgin Atlantic can afford may be critical to your lifestyle and if that is the case you should consider working elsewhere Sir Richard Branson
For some of you, more pay than Virgin Atlantic can afford may be critical to your lifestyle and if that is the case you should consider working elsewhere Sir Richard Branson
The strikes are not the only industrial action scheduled for January, with union members at airport operator BAA set to cause mass disruption at the UK's largest airports on three other dates.
The strikes are not the only industrial action scheduled by aviation workers for January.
Union members at airport operator BAA are set to cause mass disruption at some of the UK's largest airports on three other dates in January.
'Dangerous precedent'?
'Dangerous precedent'?
In his letter, Mr Branson said Virgin Atlantic had "drawn a line in the sand" over pay this year.
In his letter, Sir Richard said Virgin Atlantic had "drawn a line in the sand" over pay this year.
"To go further would result in unacceptable risks and would set a dangerous precedent to the company as a whole," he added.
"To go further would result in unacceptable risks and would set a dangerous precedent to the company as a whole," he added.
"It would be irresponsible of our management and they, rightly, are not going to take that risk."
"It would be irresponsible of our management and they, rightly, are not going to take that risk."
Mr Branson admitted that rival airlines often offered better basic wages but said that they did not offer the perks that came with working for a "smaller, more friendly" company.
Sir Richard admitted that rival airlines often offered better basic wages but said that they did not offer the perks that came with working for a "smaller, more friendly" company.
"For some of you, more pay than Virgin Atlantic can afford may be critical to your lifestyle and if that is the case you should consider working elsewhere," Mr Branson said.
"For some of you, more pay than Virgin Atlantic can afford may be critical to your lifestyle and if that is the case you should consider working elsewhere," Sir Richard said.
Virgin Atlantic has previously said that there would be no "eleventh hour change to our pay offer".
Virgin Atlantic has previously said that there would be no "eleventh hour change to our pay offer".
The airline said its offer was worth 8.3% on basic pay over two years, with a 4.8% increase offered in the first year.
The airline said its offer was worth 8.3% on basic pay over two years, with a 4.8% increase offered in the first year.
'Unhelpful'
'Unhelpful'
A Unite spokesperson said the letter was "unhelpful in resolving the dispute" and would "only make people more upset".
A Unite spokesperson said the letter was "unhelpful in resolving the dispute" and would "only make people more upset".
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said that since the letter was sent, a number of union members had contacted management offering to cross the picket line and work on the strike days.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said that since the letter was sent, a number of union members had contacted management offering to cross the picket line and work on the strike days.
Are you a Virgin employee? Have you received the letter? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Are you a Virgin employee? Have you received the letter? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
