Virgin Crew Pay Ballots

Offered without comment,

VS Crew Pay Ballots

Phil (Buffy)

That made an interesting read[:0]

Whenevr I've had a chance to chat to cabin crew when I've been in PE,they do always say staff are demoralised[8)]

All I will say is watch this space. Linda moir is going to have a lot to answer for. She was not liked by BA crew when she was in charge there and she is not liked by VS crew now she is here.

Not sure on the Mods stance here again, seems like we are going down the same theme as before. I know it is an emotional subject and I hope it is sorted amicably and in favour, but maybe leave personalities out of it.

Honest I'm not having a go VISTB:)

Iain

Interesting thread - out of interest I assume BA are top the payers[?]

Does anyone have a rough guide - im just interested to see where VS fits in the marketplace in terms of crew pay??

Are VS really only a peg above Air India?

I'm not offering opinion or comment; just curious where VS fit..

Yes, an interesting read. It isn't exclusive to VS cabin crew to want more pay for less work. I think that is the mantra of just about everbody, isn't it?

[preiffer]

Not sure on the Mods stance here again, seems like we are going down the same theme as before.

The ballot result, I believe, is now in several publications (in one form or another) so it is certainly in the public domain.

However, while the subject is obviously very interesting to all of us on the site - PLEASE remember that not all staff members will appreciate having their (extremely personal) remuneration details published.

Therefore, can we please ensure that the thread remains constructive and relevant, but avoids any specific details that may/should be confidential?

(I'm sure most of us would not like our salaries discussed on a public website )

Just to clarify im not interested in pay amounts just a ranking of where VS sit relative to its competitors.

I agree that pay etc should remain confidential..

It's difficult to compare as BA have cabin crew on lots of different contracts. If you want to compare an FSM at VS to a CSD at BA, taking into account possibly 15 + years service, the CSD would be on double. A senior cabin crew member (not a purser), with over 5 years service is also on more than an FSM.

I just hope the situation can be sorted out quickly and quietly there's nothing worse than when it spills out into the media, it helps neither side, and staff postings on forum sites if found out by the company can lead to possible disciplinary action maybe even dismissal.

Employees should be careful and whoever posted over on ÔppruneÕ should know theyÕre not positively contributing to the situation. ItÕs happened plenty of time before where action has been taken against employees with regard to internet postings.

Sad to read about this here in a way, is it just gossip do you think?

Uh i say this to every staff member regardless of what airline you work for

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING PAID WHEN YOU SIGNED THE CONTRACT

Originally posted by VS_Lover
Uh i say this to every staff member regardless of what airline you work for

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING PAID WHEN YOU SIGNED THE CONTRACT

Yes we did. However things go up in price. Petrol,Rent,Council Tax, and the rest of everything we use on a day to day basis. Thats why we want a decent pay rise. All I can say is STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE

[preiffer]

Originally posted by virgin is the best
All I can say is STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE

Great plan [V]

Staff strike = disruption to airline;
Big disruption to airline = compensation to passengers;
Loss of potential business due to future passenger concerns = less revenue;
Less revenue + compensation payments = (yup, you guessed it!) Less money to increase pay (or indeed, pay staff at all)

As I said - great plan. [:0]

Although I agree that staff should not be held to ransom and that the cost of living has increased over the years, there are very few instances where a strike genuinely HELPS the situation for either of the parties involved...

Originally posted by preiffer

Not sure on the Mods stance here again, seems like we are going down the same theme as before.

The ballot result, I believe, is now in several publications (in one form or another) so it is certainly in the public domain.

However, while the subject is obviously very interesting to all of us on the site - PLEASE remember that not all staff members will appreciate having their (extremely personal) remuneration details published.

Therefore, can we please ensure that the thread remains constructive and relevant, but avoids any specific details that may/should be confidential?

(I'm sure most of us would not like our salaries discussed on a public website )

I totally agree [y]

(BTW would it possible to move this thread to the staff only section?)

Always puzzles me striking over pay, if I am not getting paid enough for the job I do "its time to move on" not wreck my employer.

In this day and age unions are there for the protection of basic human rights and to make certain health and safety, non descrimination and equality policies are adhered to, the days of pay me more or else are over I am afraid.

I doubt there will be a strike, VA staff are so much classier than that.

Surely unions are the collective bargaining channel for individual employees and that includes all aspects of employment, from H&S through to wages and conditions?

I too hope there is no strike but do support constructive negotiation that should lead all parties to better understanding and agreement.

We always comment on the high quality of flight crew service, and all round service from Virgin so let's hope there is a positive outcome to the negotiations.

Originally posted by preiffer

Originally posted by virgin is the best
All I can say is STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE

Great plan [V]

Staff strike = disruption to airline;
Big disruption to airline = compensation to passengers;
Loss of potential business due to future passenger concerns = less revenue;
Less revenue + compensation payments = (yup, you guessed it!) Less money to increase pay (or indeed, pay staff at all)

Its the comments that senior management have made public about crew and what they are going to do which has made lots of crew want to strike. I would perfer not to strike but it looks like that is what the majorty of crew have in mind.


{edited - preiffer: VITB - please quote correctly!}

I think the response is pretty much caused by the one the company passed on to them, along the lines of "take it or leave it, you'll get nothing more out of us".

I'm confident that 99.5% DON'T want any kind of dispute & would like to just carry on giving us all the service we expect & enjoy.

However, other departments have had decent pay rises in recent years & the cabin crew then told there's no money left because we've given it all to "xxxx".

As VS Lover comments, you know what the pay is when you start. Yes, but how many ask what they will be earning as a CSS or FSM. With the extra responsibility should go extra pay.

The are other points that have taken the CC to this decision which aren't public (and will stay that way), i hope they achieve a result WITHOUT spoiling the reputation of VS & can keep providing the happy welcoming smile & polished service we all look forward to.

This could actually just be a lot of HOT AIR at this stage, we might be jumping the gun talking about strikes and inadvertantly putting potential clients off booking with VA.

Also BA might just be having a little chuckle right now.

I would like to back up what Denzil has said. The vast majority of cabin crew are greatly opposed to strike action however desperate times call for desperate measures. The ball now really is back in the company's court, I think cabin crew have made it quite clear that the pay deal was less than what we were hoping for so lets just hope someone finds some cash from somewhere and this can be resolved.

As an FSM I am respsonsible for all 18 crew not only onboard but throughout our time downroute. Add 450 passengers to that equation and the fact that anything that happens onboard that aircraft is solely my responsibility, then the pay is not comparable to that of a VS manager on the ground. Of course I knew what the money was like for new starting cabin crew when I signed on the dotted line but as i get older my priorities change along with my added responsibilites. If money was my driving force in life then I would have jumped over to BA years ago, however I love working for Virgin, have met some great people and still generally feel very proud to work for the company. At the risk of sounding big headed [:p] I'm also pretty bloody good at my job too . I don't want to earn millions but I just want to earn what is comparable to other long haul scheduled airlines crew member in charge and to be able to keep up with the fast rising cost of living. I know cabin crew come across as moaners sometimes and we are blessed to do a job that we love but if it offered such great terms and conditions and lifestlye then you all would be doing it!

I really have hesitated whether to post this as I am fiercely loyal to Virgin and passionate that the airline grows . Contributing to forums like this could jeopardise the image that Virgin has an empolyer but then I have had to ask myself, who's responsibility is that? I am sure strike action is a last resort however and hope that we can all reach an agreement where everyone is happy!

I hope everyone comes to a happy conclusion too, a war between staff and management at VA would take away a little of the magic and admiration for what we think is the best airline.

Erm ...

I think the VS staff are some of the best (if not THE best) in the industry ... both on the ground and in the air. They deserve to get well paid for a job well done.

But you know, I'm paying more now for my airfares than at any time (at least as fare as I can recall). The airlines have gotten away with levying their YQ/YR surcharges for fuel etc. No one is paying me any more to cover this. I don't want to see my airfares go up anymore (down would be nice, please).

Somehow, the airline need to maintain its efficiency - pay fair wages for staff to provide great customer service, without charging a premium for that.

Wisdom of Solomon required, I think...

Originally posted by virgin is the best

Originally posted by VS_Lover
Uh i say this to every staff member regardless of what airline you work for

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING PAID WHEN YOU SIGNED THE CONTRACT

Yes we did. However things go up in price. Petrol,Rent,Council Tax, and the rest of everything we use on a day to day basis. Thats why we want a decent pay rise. All I can say is STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE

Lol yeah that's life. I've been there done that with crew. Even when i was flying there was talk of a strike. It didn't interest me one bit. The people who want to strike are being petty and selfish - do they realise that if they strike every department will be on the line in terms of job cuts?

The revenue we would lose through a strike in unthinkable. And then factor in damage to our reputation.

For the crew that do strike i invite them down to the airports to see what the ground staff will have to put up with - most of the crew would not last five seconds on the ground in terms of being on the front line face to face with customers.

Crew will never get the deal they want because there are a 1000 other people out there who would die to do your job, all willing to be paid what you get now. Everyone is disposable, especially in this industry.

If the crew are that unhappy i say leave. Only you wont because you love the concessions and the kudos of saying you work for Virgin. My Easyjet buddy earns more as crew than Virgin crew yet i doubt half those wanting to go on strike would work for them as they have too much pride.

If the crew love working for Virgin as much as they say they do, they'd change attitudes, create a more positive morale and prove they really do deserve a pay rise.

Don't want to get to involved here, and hope things pan out okay for all involved, however shouldn't the phrase "strike strike strike" be "negotiate negotiate negotiate"?

I understand from TR's that lots of BA pax are now flying VS because of their problems, surely no-one here wants the same to happen to VS?