Are your flights at risk? Virgin Australia staff may strike over wage dispute!
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Virgin Australia customers were warned to ‘brace for disruption’ before Christmas if a bitter pay dispute with ground staff isn't resolved soon.
The transport workers who handle luggage, direct aircraft and complete other crucial behind-the-scenes tasks have recently applied for the right to take protected industrial action.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU), which represents the ground crew at Virgin Australia, has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a Protected Action Ballot. This is a formal step required under industrial law before workers can legally strike.
The TWU claimed that Virgin Australia had failed to deliver on commitments made during the COVID-19 pandemic when workers accepted wage freezes and cuts due to the then-current conditions.
The union said this was meant to be a temporary measure to get the airline through the crisis, but workers have not seen their pay and conditions restored even as the airline returns to profitability.
Earlier this month, Virgin Australia posted its first annual profit in 11 years of $129 million. The airline credits strong customer demand for helping revenue rebound to over $5 billion after collapsing during pandemic lockdowns.
But TWU National Assistant Secretary Nick McIntosh said workers have run out of patience waiting for their pandemic sacrifices to be repaid now the airline is profitable again.
'These are workers that have remained loyal to Virgin through thick and thin and are devastated that it has reached breaking point,' Mr McIntosh said.
The union is demanding an enterprise agreement that provides better pay and improved working conditions. Mr McIntosh said wages have fallen to 'poverty pay' levels for some staff.
'Virgin must correct poverty pay, insecure work and unsafe conditions. Otherwise, workers will have to walk away from jobs that have become unsustainable,' he warned.
Virgin Australia said negotiations are continuing over a new enterprise agreement that sets pay and conditions.
'We are in the process of negotiating a new enterprise agreement for our “pit crew employees”,' a company spokesperson stated.
‘We continue to negotiate in good faith with our people and the Transport Workers’ Union,’ they added.
But unless a breakthrough can be achieved, customers may face cancelled flights, lengthy delays, and disruption at airports.
The potential strike action comes as cost of living pressures mount across the community. With inflation rising steeply, workers across many industries are seeking pay rises to maintain their standard of living.
Members, what do you think about the pay dispute—should the airline offer higher wage rises? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The transport workers who handle luggage, direct aircraft and complete other crucial behind-the-scenes tasks have recently applied for the right to take protected industrial action.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU), which represents the ground crew at Virgin Australia, has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a Protected Action Ballot. This is a formal step required under industrial law before workers can legally strike.
The TWU claimed that Virgin Australia had failed to deliver on commitments made during the COVID-19 pandemic when workers accepted wage freezes and cuts due to the then-current conditions.
Virgin Australia ground workers have filed for a Protected Action Ballot over disputed wages. Credit: Joseph Bobadilla/Unsplash
The union said this was meant to be a temporary measure to get the airline through the crisis, but workers have not seen their pay and conditions restored even as the airline returns to profitability.
Earlier this month, Virgin Australia posted its first annual profit in 11 years of $129 million. The airline credits strong customer demand for helping revenue rebound to over $5 billion after collapsing during pandemic lockdowns.
But TWU National Assistant Secretary Nick McIntosh said workers have run out of patience waiting for their pandemic sacrifices to be repaid now the airline is profitable again.
'These are workers that have remained loyal to Virgin through thick and thin and are devastated that it has reached breaking point,' Mr McIntosh said.
The union is demanding an enterprise agreement that provides better pay and improved working conditions. Mr McIntosh said wages have fallen to 'poverty pay' levels for some staff.
'Virgin must correct poverty pay, insecure work and unsafe conditions. Otherwise, workers will have to walk away from jobs that have become unsustainable,' he warned.
Virgin Australia said negotiations are continuing over a new enterprise agreement that sets pay and conditions.
'We are in the process of negotiating a new enterprise agreement for our “pit crew employees”,' a company spokesperson stated.
‘We continue to negotiate in good faith with our people and the Transport Workers’ Union,’ they added.
But unless a breakthrough can be achieved, customers may face cancelled flights, lengthy delays, and disruption at airports.
The potential strike action comes as cost of living pressures mount across the community. With inflation rising steeply, workers across many industries are seeking pay rises to maintain their standard of living.
Members, what do you think about the pay dispute—should the airline offer higher wage rises? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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