Virgin pilots appeal against injunction blocking industrial action
Virgin pilots are to appeal a court injunction preventing them from taking industrial action in a dispute over trade union recognition.
Members of the Professional Pilots Union (PPU) had planned a series of strikes over Christmas and the New year after Virgin Atlantic refused to recognise the union.
However, Virgin – which will only deal with the British Airline Pilots Union – was granted an 11th hour injunction by a High Court judge blocking the strikes on December 20.
Today PPU, which represents a third of Virgin’s pilots, has sought leave to appeal the High Court injunction, saying that the ruling has far reaching effect for the airline industry.
Alex Barley, solicitor and director at law firm Towns Needham, which is representing PPU, said: "We are confident that the ruling can be successfully challenged, and as an indication of that we are conducting the appeal on a no win, no fee basis.
"As it stands, the precedent set by the court’s decision will have far-reaching effects on any similar actions by airline unions in the future, and Towns Needham are happy to support the PPU in this case."
Since the injunction was granted, the PPU said it has held talks with Virgin at arbitrator ACAS headquarters in London with a view to reaching agreement on recognition and the union playing a part in negotiations over pilots’ terms and conditions.
PPU spokesman Steve Johnson said the union was hopeful that Virgin ‘will want a resolution without referring to the courts’.
"It is our hope that these talks achieve our ambition within a reasonable timeframe, and that the outcome of the appeal will prove to be academic," he said.
"Litigation is very expensive – VA fielded an 11-strong team of lawyers to secure their injunction, but a resolution to what we see as a reasonable demand to be recognised can be obtained for free simply by talking to us."
Virgin responded with the following statement: "We’re aware of the PPU’s intention to apply for permission to appeal the decision made by the High Court in December. We believe that the decision was correct and that permission to appeal should be refused. Our flying programme continues to operate as normal."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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