Virgin Australia flights face disruption if a pay dispute with ground workers over “unsustainable” working conditions cannot be resolved.
The ground workers have applied to the Fair Work Commission for a Protected Action Ballot (PAB), a step towards possible strikes.
Pilots, cabin crew and the airline’s regional arm, VARA, are also in negotiations over pay and working conditions but none of those groups have so far moved to lodge a PAB.
The Transport Workers’ Union claims Virgin Australia has failed to act on commitments made during the pandemic that wage freezes and cuts to conditions were a temporary measure that would be repaid.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson told 9news.com.au it was continuing to “negotiate in good faith” with ground crew and the Transport Workers’ Union.
“We are in the process of negotiating a new enterprise agreement for our Pit Crew employees,” the spokesperson said.
But TWU National Assistant Secretary Nick McIntosh said workers’ patience had run out.
“These are workers that have remained loyal to Virgin through thick and thin and are devastated that it has reached breaking point.”
McIntosh said better pay and improved working conditions were central to the union’s demands.
Virgin must correct “poverty pay” and other issues, McIntosh said, “otherwise workers will have to walk away from jobs that have become unsustainable”.
Earlier this month Virgin Australia reported a return to profitability for the first time in 11 years, posting a profit of $129 million.
Revenue more than doubled compared to last year to $5 billion.
Virgin Australia said customer demand was strong following a precipitous collapse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(9 News)
