Virgin staff continue industrial action

“Employees have always stuck by the company, and instead of rewarding them at a time they need it most, Virgin Australia is trying to remove their hard-earned entitlements.”

The union said Virgin is pushing staff to “deliver a premium airline experience on budget airline conditions, after years of cuts that have left workers exhausted”.

“Virgin workers played an instrumental role in carrying the airline through the COVID pandemic and its time in administration when thousands of jobs were cut and remaining staff accepted a wage freeze to help the airline recover,” the union said.

“Since then, workers have been asked to do more with fewer staff numbers and passengers have felt the loss of experienced workers at airports and customer contact centres.”

Virgin said it has offered a 5 per cent base wage increase in year one and 4 per cent in years two and three, with increases to day and afternoon shift loadings; clearer career progression; and rostering improvements with more days off per year.

“There are no expected impacts to today’s services as a result of the action. We value the contribution of our Guest Services team members and remain committed to working with the ASU and employee representatives to reach an agreement,” a Virgin spokesman said.

According to workers, however, the offer “is not acceptable and falls well short of expectations”, pointing to the proposed introduction of nine-hour shifts; pay outcomes that “do not adequately reflect or recognise their work”; and proposed cuts to days in lieu.

“Nine-hour shifts on your feet for shift workers with no proper place to sit or rest will lead to the burn-out of several of Virgin’s best workers. It is essential Virgin Australia prioritises worker health and safety. When experienced staff leave, passengers take notice,” said Cowen.

“Virgin’s workers and passengers are on the same team. Management needs to invest in the people who built this result. The work does not stop being hard just because a company decides it is not worth paying properly for.”

The tactics echo those employed by Jetstar airport staff, also backed by the ASU, last month, who waived some sales-related fees in an effort to put pressure on the airline while causing minimum disruption to passengers.

It comes as Virgin cabin crew have also been voting on protected industrial action, saying pay and conditions “still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels”.