kabarsula Virgin Australia cabin crew prepare to vote on strike action bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Virgin Australia cabin crew are preparing to vote on industrial action amid an ongoing dispute over pay, rostering and fatigue protections, despite the airline reporting record profits.

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) says cabin crew have yet to see their pay and conditions restored to pre-pandemic levels, following concessions made during Virgin Australia’s administration in 2020.

The union is calling for improved rostering arrangements, reduced duty limits, increased minimum rest periods and clearer progression through pay classifications.

The move comes after Virgin Australia reported a record $501 million profit for the last financial year, while private equity owner Bain Capital has received $2.7 billion from its investment in the airline, according to the TWU.

The union also highlighted the approximately $50 million in remuneration, shares and departure-related benefits awarded to former Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said workers who made sacrifices during the pandemic deserved improved conditions.

“Virgin cabin crew took cuts to their pay and conditions during COVID to get airline through administration, but they are still operating under crisis conditions that have seen them regularly pushed to exhaustion,” Kaine said.

“Now the airline is making bumper profits, Bain is siphoning billions to put in executives’ pockets, and CEOs are walking out the door with $50 million pay cheques.”

Further industrial action across aviation

The TWU and Australian Services Union (ASU) have also applied for a protected action ballot covering Virgin Australia’s guest services employees, who are seeking improved rostering arrangements and protections for existing conditions.

The developments come as hundreds of Qantas ground workers prepare for further strike action at airports across Australia on Wednesday, 28 October, in a separate dispute over pay and conditions.

The TWU has also welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing an Aviation Industry Coordination Council, calling for legislation to support long-term reform across the sector.

A successful protected action ballot would authorise eligible workers to take industrial action but would not automatically result in strikes.