Virgin Australia job cuts: Axed workers to get parting gift from Richard Branson
Sir Richard Branson will give the sacked 3000 Virgin Australia and Tigerair workers a parting gift to celebrate their time at the airlines.
After announcing Virgin Australia will shed about one-third of its workforce, as well as kill off Tigerair and suspend long-haul international routes, the new “value airline” will also give departing employees a commemorative gift before they officially part ways.
On Wednesday, the struggling airline announced the 3000 job cuts will affect employees across cabin crew, ground crew, engineers, baggage handlers and some international head office staff.
The announcements were made this morning as Virgin Australia unveiled its plan to re-emerge from the brink of collapse in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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But in a send-off for those who no longer have a job with the airline, Sir Richard Branson will provide each former employee with a parting gift.
The businessman and billionaire will issue thousands of personally signed photographs of a Virgin Australia aircraft to commemorate their time at the airline.
In a statement provided to news.com.au, a spokesperson said Branson’s autographed photo is a “heartfelt gift” for employees to remember their time with the airline. It is understood each photo will also be signed by Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah.
Parting Tigerair employees will also receive a photo, however it will only be signed by Mr Scurrah.
In a statement sent to news.com.au, a spokesperson from the Transport Workers Union said now is not the time for the airline to be handing out “token gifts”.
“Today is the day Virgin workers are processing the news about job losses which will be devastating for some and their families,” the statement read.
“We will be supporting them over the coming days and weeks.”
In addition to the photograph, team members who leave the business will be “closely supported” through Virgin’s alumni program, which means ex-employees will have “all their entitlements honoured” and be provided with a two-year extension to staff travel benefits and early access to retiree and long service benefits.
“Our people have shown incredible resilience under tough circumstances,” Mr Scurrah said.
“They are what set the Virgin Australia Group apart and make us so unique. We hope to welcome many of them back as we start to grow again in the future.”
American private equity firm Bain Capital agreed to buy Virgin Australia in June, after the airline went into voluntary administration in April amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to media following the job losses, Mr Scurrah said the decision to cull 3000 workers was “very tough” but the airline hoped to re-employ lost staff once it was stronger. It is understood voluntary redundancies will be offered.
“Our intention is to secure approximately 6000 jobs when the market recovers with aspirations for up to 8000 in the future,” he said.
“To those that leave the business, I want to thank them for the role they’ve played in making this a great airline.”
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