The union representing the biggest number of pilots at Virgin Atlantic is to ballot members on whether to take strike action.
The Professional Pilots Union, which represents 450 of Virgin’s 800 pilots, is holding a vote on industrial action over management’s refusal to recognise the union or consult it about proposed benefit changes.
Virgin recognises rival union the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), which has also rejected the new proposals, but which says there is no current need to consider industrial action.
If PPU members do vote to strike, they could walk out over the busy Christmas period.
PPU spokesman Steve Johnson said: "Our efforts to take part in the benefits review have been repeatedly resisted by the company.
"Our members have mandated the PPU to negotiate, but for the last two years it appears the company has chosen to ignore the majority of its pilots and deal only with a union that speaks for the minority. That’s a fundamental mistake."
Virgin said: "We have been working closely with our recognised trade union BALPA in relation to a proposal regarding a benefits review, and are confident that this will be completed in a satisfactory manner.
"We’ve always been willing in principle to recognise the PPU, but we won’t agree to their demand that we derecognise BALPA, and disenfranchise the hundreds of pilots who belong to this union."
