Virgin Atlantic, workers reach pact

Virgin Atlantic Airways cabin crew called off strike actions over pay after the Unite union reached agreement with the British carrier controlled by billionaire Richard Branson.

Two 48-hour strikes, planned for Wednesday and Jan. 16, have been canceled after a two-year pay deal was agreed upon, Virgin said.

The deal includes a 4.8% pay increase in the first year and guarantees to keep pay in line with the retail price index in the second year, the airline said.