Union leaders today warned of the first ever strike at Virgin Atlantic after cabin crew rejected a new pay deal at the airline.

The Unite trade union said it intended to ballot more than 3,000 members over possible industrial action that could disrupt Virgin services over Christmas and New Year.

The comments drew a fierce reaction from Virgin which insisted the union had strongly recommended its members accept the revised deal.

Talks between Virgin Atlantic and union leaders have been going on for most of the year.

Unite said its members felt “undervalued” and claimed that cabin crew at British Airways can earn up to £10,000 a year more than Virgin staff flying the same routes.

Virgin offered a two-year deal where cabin crew would receive a 4.8 per cent pay rise in the first year, backdated to April 2007. Pay would rise in line with inflation in the second year.

Unite said a “clear majority” of 60 per cent of its members rejected the deal.

Brian Boyd, Unite national officer, said: “Virgin Atlantic cabin crew believe that their professionalism and dedication has been undervalued for far too long.

“Unite is calling upon Virgin Atlantic to deliver a long-term solution to this problem. It has gone on for too long and our members have had enough.

“Unite has written to the company today to inform them that the union will ballot its members for strike action within the next two weeks.”

Virgin countered by revealing comments by Mr Boyd in a letter to the airline in which it claimed he said: "Unite now believe that we reached a point where the important part played by the cabin crew in the continued success of Virgin Atlantic has been recognised."

Lyell Strambi, chief operating officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: "Virgin Atlantic is deeply disappointed that our recent pay deal, which was twice recommended by Unite to its members, has been rejected.

"We believe that the pay offer is the best increase in the industry this year.

"We value the huge contribution that our crew make to the airline's success and we know that our crew wouldn't want to damage our reputation for leading customer service.

"However the union has informed us that the next step will be a ballot for industrial action and we are awaiting official notification of this."

Virgin's cabin crew rejected a three-year pay deal by a 92 per cent majority in August.

A Unite spokesman said that regardless of its recommendation, "we support the position of our members".

He said: "They have decided their pay is worse than they could get with a competitor. They are tired and have had enough."

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