VIRGIN PILOTS REACH IN-PRINCIPLE AGREEMENT FOLLOWING FAIR WORK COMMISSION ASSISTED BARGAINING

After TWU Virgin pilots voted in July against a proposed enterprise agreement that failed to address genuine concerns of the workforce, the Fair Work Commission has now recommended an in-principle agreement that significantly restores pay and conditions which were decimated during the airline’s administration process.

The Fair Work Commission assisted bargaining process follows months of pilots consistently raising the same issues with Virgin around a reset of pay and conditions which went backwards in the last agreement.

After pilots’ strong no vote the revised in-principle agreement provides historic pay increases of up to 21% on base salary over three years that will bridge the gap following significant pay cuts the group made during the pandemic. Pilots fought off further attacks to annual leave and duty rig provisions, as well as securing increases to part-time positions to improve work-life balance.

TWU pilots had consistently raised concerns with Virgin and Bain over the need to address fatigue and rostering concerns as well as restore pay, with a significant cohort of pilots leaving the Australian aviation industry to pursue overseas positions with better pay and conditions.

The TWU has called on Virgin owners Bain Capital, ahead of a new CEO and interest from Qatar in a stake in the airline, to recommit to the claim made by workers last year around respect for workers, good, secure jobs, ongoing investment, an employee share scheme and industry reform.

Last year Virgin cabin crew and ground workers narrowly avoided having to take strike action, settling agreements that significantly improved pay and work-life balance.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:

“TWU Virgin pilots led the charge on a strong no vote as the airline continued to present an offer that failed to acknowledge the sacrifices they made during the pandemic. It should not have taken months of negotiations, a no vote and a Fair Work Commission process for Virgin to come to the table with a fair offer that restores the pay and conditions decimated during the administration process.

“There is significant work Virgin still must do around rostering and fatigue issues. With Virgin soaring back to profit and a new CEO waiting in the wings, it’s time for Virgin to get back to the fundamental business of listening to its people and rebuilding morale.

“Last year ground crew and cabin crew narrowly avoided having to take industrial action and settled decent agreements ensuring pay increases and work-life balance. With all three groups having achieved agreements, Virgin and Bain must now recommit to the plan workers put forward last year to ensure the airline’s long-term future.

“In just the past few months we’ve seen the collapse of Bonza and administration of Rex, with the loss of almost 1000 aviation jobs. To stabilise the industry we are in desperate need of a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to rebalance the industry away from the profit obsession of privatised airports and airlines.”