Virgin Australia offers $150 a day bonuses to crew who show up for work in December

Virgin Australia has been accused of trying to ‘bribe’ cabin crew not to strike with an offer of an extra $150 a day to work over the busy summer holiday period.

Virgin Australia is offering cabin crew an extra $150 a day to come to work over the busy December holiday period.

Virgin Australia has been accused of trying to “bribe” cabin crew not to strike with an offer of an extra $150 a day to work over the busy summer holiday period.

The offer was made late on Thursday, hours before the results of a protected industrial action ballot were returned.

On Friday it was revealed that 98 per cent of cabin crew voted in favour of 24-hour strikes from December 8 onwards, due to frustrations over pay negotiations.

Flight Attendants Association of Australia federal secretary Teri O’Toole said in the last five years Virgin crew had seen their pay increase by just 1.98 per cent.

She said what was being offered by Virgin Australia in enterprise bargaining negotiations would not lift their pay above poverty rates after the airline had returned to profit.

“With inflation and a sharp rise in the cost of living they struggle to pay for rent, food, fuel and household bills and school fees,” Ms O’Toole said.

“When Virgin went into voluntary administration (in 2020) our members helped get Virgin back on their feet. Cabin crew had pay freezes and lost conditions of employment which in turn has led to unsafe conditions at work.

“Virgin regards this as a productivity saving for the company.”

Ms O’Toole said the vote in favour of 24-hour strikes was unprecedented, and showed the strength of feeling among members that their pay and conditions needed attention.

A message to cabin crew from Inflight Experience general manager Linda Celestino made it clear only those workers who presented for work between December 8 and January 7 would qualify for the $150 a shift bonus.

Those who were absent from work without a valid medical reason or carer’s leave would not qualify.

That included cabin crew who were “fatigued” and did not submit a fatigue report within 72 hours.

“As we head into this peak flying period, let’s all bring on the flair and have some fun together,” Ms Celestino said in an email.

Ms O’Toole said the “bonus” amounted to a bribe to encourage crew to break ranks and accept an “inferior offer”.

“Dressed up as a Santa bonus, the cynical approach by Virgin is being seen for what it is by Virgin cabin crew,” she said.