Fatigue, long hours, high staff turnover and unrealistic turnaround times are behind the push for a vote on protected industrial action by Virgin Australia cabin crew, according to a union.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) said airline workers would seek a protected action ballot on Monday in a bid to force management to listen to their concerns.
TWU national secretary Michael Caine said on Sunday the vote came three weeks after Virgin ground staff sought and received a vote of action protected by the Fair Work Commission.
Fatigue, long hours, high staff turnover and unrealistic turnaround times are behind the push for a vote on protected industrial action by Virgin Australia cabin crew, according to a union.
Mr Caine said the carrier’s staff were tired of missing breaks or having to take second jobs due to successive pay rise freezes, after their loyalty throughout the pandemic helped the airline to return to profits.
“The owners of Bain Capital have failed to hold up their end of the bargain to correct low wages, improve work-life balance and correct unsafe workforces,” he said.
The union said the push for a vote on industrial action was prompted after Virgin Australia management canceled a recent meeting at which it was expected to respond to workers’ demands with an updated deal offer .
However, Virgin Australia said unions had agreed to its request to bring forward the meeting by three working days to ensure there was sufficient time to consider and respond to the most recent claim.
The TWU said workers insist understaffing is leading to in-flight safety issues, which could put customers’ lives at risk.
Mr Caine said airline workers were exhausted.
“Workers are completely exhausted, and several cabin crew have reported near misses on the way home after long shifts,” he said.
“We need a significant change in Virgin’s negotiating approach to ensure a fair and sustainable enterprise deal offer and avoid last resort strikes.”
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the current cabin crew agreement expired less than two weeks ago and the airline was negotiating in good faith with the intention of reaching an amicable solution .
The TWU’s decision to proceed to a ballot was a common part of the initial process and Virgin Australia looked forward to the next round of negotiations on November 15, the spokesperson said.
“Virgin Australia remains confident that an amicable solution will be found,” they said in a statement.
“One that appropriately rewards our valued cabin crew and at the same time protects Virgin Australia’s underlying business resilience and the exceptional value and choice it delivers to the Australian traveling public every day.”
