Next step towards Virgin Australia ground crew TWU strike

Flights could be disrupted as Virgin Australia’s “pit crew” workers take the next step in a fight for better conditions.

Union strikes could impact Virgin Australia flights, as ground crew workers take the next step towards industrial action.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) workers with Virgin have applied for a protected action ballot (PAB) through the Fair Work Commission, as they accuse the airline of failing to act on commitments made during the Covid-19 pandemic.

That includes wage freezes and scrapping some work conditions, which workers claim they were told were temporary measures.

TWU national assistant secretary Nick McIntosh (right) at a Qantas protest in November 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

A PAB is a secret ballot in which workers can vote to take industrial strike action.

TWU national assistant secretary Nick McIntosh said workers’ patience had run out.

“The message we’re receiving loud and clear from TWU members above and below the wing is that Virgin must correct poverty pay, insecure work and unsafe conditions, otherwise workers will have to walk away from jobs that have become unsustainable,” Mr McIntosh said.

“These are workers that have remained loyal to Virgin through thick and thin and are devastated that it has reached breaking point.

“Virgin now has some of the lowest pay and conditions across the industry and is turning a deaf ear to its workers, including by failing to commit to a five-point plan for a better future.”

But Virgin said the airline had made a new offer to workers as negotiations continue.

Services could be disrupted as TWU workers with Virgin Australia’s ground crew take the next step towards strike action. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

“We are in the process of negotiating a new enterprise agreement for our pit crew employees. We continue to negotiate in good faith with our people and the Transport Workers’ Union,” a Virgin spokesperson said.

Pilots and ground crew with Virgin Australia Regional Airlines are also in negotiations with Virgin’s parent company Bain Capital over pay and conditions.

However, that action hasn’t progressed to the PAB stage.

Earlier in October, Virgin Australia posted a profit of $129m, its first reported profit in 11 years, and revenue doubled to $5bn compared with the year before.

Originally published as Next step towards Virgin Australia ground crew TWU strike