Two 48-hour strikes planned by Virgin Atlantic cabin crew have been called off after a deal was agreed with management on pay.
Members of the Unite union had proposed the walkouts after rejecting a deal last month.
However, staff late yesterday, accepted a two-year deal – a 4.8% pay increase – followed by a rise in line with inflation. There is also a commitment to review pay again in April 2009.
Virgin owner Sir Richard Branson called the agreement a “triumph of common sense”.
Branson had previously told unhappy staff who had threatened to strike to go and work elsewhere.
Brian Boyd, national officer at Unite, said: “This agreement recognises the important contribution cabin crew make to the business and we now have the opportunity to ensure an improved relationship with Virgin Atlantic in the future.”
Management and union representatives said prolonged negotiations had been “potentially damaging” to the relationship between the company, cabin crew and the union.
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