Cabin crew members working for Virgin Atlantic are set to vote on whether to carry out industrial action next month.

Over 3,000 workers are currently being balloted by the Unite union on the possible strike, which may disrupt flights over the new year period should the action go ahead.

The ballot, which is being held over a pay dispute, closes on December 20th and if a verdict in favour of industrial action is reached, Unite is obliged to give notice seven days beforehand of any strike to take place.

"We would hope that the cabin crew who are union members would not do anything to affect our leading reputation for customer service," a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic told the BBC.

The news comes shortly after Unite announced that it was to hold a ballot on industrial action among certain employees of airport operator BAA, which may result in travel disruption during the Christmas period if the final vote is in favour of a strike.

However, officials at BAA said that negotiations are underway to eliminate the need for such action.

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