Exclusive: Virgin ground staff to vote on industrial action

According to the Australian Services Union (ASU), the Virgin staff it represents will lodge their vote this week, as they continue to battle over new pay and working conditions with the airline.

The ASU said Virgin’s latest enterprise agreement proposal fell “well short” of member expectations, forcing the union to escalate matters to the Fair Work Commission.

In particular, the airline has pushed for the introduction of nine-hour shifts for ground workers, cuts to days in lieu, and “pay outcomes that do not adequately recognise your work”, according to the union.

Workers have said that “further movement” is required from Virgin, which is why the union moved to file for a Protected Action Ballot Order with the FWC.

“Virgin workers have told us plainly that this offer isn’t good enough, and the Fair Work Commission has now cleared the way for them to have their say on whether to take protected industrial action that would force management to do better,” said Scott Cowen, assistant national secretary for the ASU.

“Workers keep this airline running every day and they keep Australians moving all throughout the year. They’re entitled to an agreement that reflects that.

“Nine-hour shifts and cuts to days in lieu would make life harder for people who already give a great deal to the airline, and they just want a fair offer in return,” he added.

The ballot will remain open until 21 October. ASU reminded members to ensure their details are up to date so they can take part in the ballot.

If members approve the vote, and the FWC agrees, possible action could include visible protest, bans on particular duties or work stoppages of up to 24 hours, the ASU said.

“Virgin needs to come back to the table with a better pay offer that doesn’t trade away other entitlements. They need to give workers something to vote for,” Cowen said.

“We don’t want to have to take action, we’d rather resolve this directly. But if Virgin keeps offering less than its workers need, they’re leaving their own workers with no other choice.”

A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the company was “disappointed” that the ASU is pursuing a vote for protected action.

“Our Guest Services team members play an important role in supporting our guests and operations, and the offer we have put forward reflects that contribution,” they said.

“We continue to negotiate with all parties in good faith, and our priority remains finalising an enterprise agreement that recognises and rewards our team members, while supporting the long-term sustainability of the business.”

The news comes just one week after Jetstar ground workers, also backed by the ASU, were approved to begin industrial action.

Starting Friday, 2 October, ASU members working for Jetstar at major airports stopped carrying out “a range of non-essential duties”, including routine passenger announcements and calls, and disruption and cancellation management tasks, over the weekend.

Members will once again zero out some sales-related fees, including excess baggage charges, late charges and seat changes, with one-hour work stoppages also planned.

Cowen said at the time that these Jetstar workers “help people get where they need to go” and should be compensated accordingly.

“They’re the reason people can travel Jetstar this Grand Final weekend and they’re connecting friends and family across the country and beyond during school holidays. That work does not stop being hard just because a company decides it is not worth paying properly for,” he said.

“Our members don’t want to take action, but they’re left with no other choice. They’re taking action because during a cost-of-living crisis, during extreme weather conditions, the airline has failed to support workers with extra weather protections or a pay offer that responds to this crisis properly.”