Virgin Independent Pilots Association poised to team up with Transport Workers Union

Virgin Australia pilots are poised to team up with the TWU to increase their bargaining muscle in pay talks.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine is teaming up with the Virgin Independent Pilots Association with the aim of security a better deal for aviation workers. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The Virgin Independent Pilots Association is poised to team up with the Transport Workers Union after suffering a significant loss of members.

VIPA president John Lyons said many of their members were A330 and Boeing 777 pilots, who had been made redundant by Virgin Australia after those aircraft types were dumped.

He said the decision to sign a memorandum of understanding with the TWU, in the first step towards amalgamation had not been taken lightly.

“It’s about strengthening the position of pilots and VIPA, and giving us more access to resources to allow us to represent our members more effectively,” Mr Lyons said.

“The TWU and VIPA have clear common interests and it makes sense to stand together formally to push for Virgin’s future. We have stood together during the administration process and in holding the new owners to account.”

VIPA was set up 14-years ago by former Australian Federation of Air Pilots’ members, to solely represent the interests of Virgin Australia pilots.

It has a membership of about 400 following the changes at the airline which went into administration in April with debts of more than $7bn.

As well as reducing its fleet to 56 Boeing 737s, Virgin Australia is in the process of axing 3000 workers, including 450 pilots.

Mr Lyons said an amalgamation with the TWU would help VIPA fight for one of Australia’s most important industries.

The TWU boasts more than 10,000 members across all sectors.

“The Australian economy depends on a robust aviation industry and we intend to push for its survival,” Mr Lyons said.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the two unions shared a “common aim” to make Virgin the strong second airline that Australia needed.

“We know that the way to do this is through Virgin’s dedicated and well-trained workforce,” Mr Kaine said.

“By coming together we can make a strong case for high standards and work to protect the interests of those who matter most: Virgin workers and the travelling public.

“It is vital there is a plan and a pathway out of the pandemic crisis for the aviation industry.”

Talks were continuing between pilots and other Virgin unions and the airline’s new owners Bain Capital, as the airline prepared to emerge from seven months in administration next week.

The US private equity firm has pledged to operate the airline with a workforce of up to 6000 when demand returns, and is in the process of negotiating new enterprise agreements.

These are expected to mean a reduction in pay for most employees, and changes to some conditions, which have been cause for concern for pilots and cabin crew.