London flights under threat as Virgin Atlantic’s Hong Kong crews call strike
London flight may not take off due to industrial action slated for holiday season
Virgin Atlantic cabin crew based in Hong Kong will stage a wildcat strike starting today, in a bid to stave off job cuts announced by the British airline last month and fight for fairer compensation.
Travellers booked on Virgin for Christmas faced the prospect of the London flight not taking off as a result of the industrial action, which will last until January 1.
The strike was called after the company sacked 51 older cabin crew based in Hong Kong in a cost-cutting drive.
READ MORE: Virgin Atlantic sacks 50 senior Hong Kong cabin crew in cost-cutting drive
Carol Ng Man-yee, secretary general of the Hong Kong Cabin Crew Federation, said the airline had refused to meet to discuss the job losses.
“This has forced workers into no other option,” she said.
Virgin Atlantic Hong Kong Cabin Crew Union said in a letter: “We feel discriminated, unfairly treated and disappointed by the actions of Virgin Atlantic ... We are still hoping for an amicable solution in resolving this matter in a peaceful, harmonious manner.”
We feel discriminated, unfairly treated and disappointed by the actions of Virgin Atlantic
The strike will affect the sole London-bound Virgin Atlantic flight VS207. Each flight is staffed by six cabin crew from London and Hong Kong.