Virgin Pilots Agreement
The pilot deal is the latest deal voted by Virgin workers since the new owners, Bain Capital, took the reins last year. It will now be submitted to the Fair Work Commission for approval, the last hurdle for Virgin to reach the seven new staff agreements. Ultimately, pilots have little or no influence in negotiating wages and working conditions. It remains to be seen how this could be achieved within the framework of existing company collective agreements, but Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is legendary for playing industrial relations. The pilot deal was the last to be voted on by Virgin workers since the airline was bought by US private equity firm Bain Capital after it went bankrupt last year. TWU and VIPA will merge in the coming months after the Fair Work Board approves. A specialized pilot department will be created to give pilots a strong voice as they join TWU members, covering cabin crew, baggage handlers, apron workers, aircraft cleaners, caterers, tankers and security personnel in the fight to raise standards in aviation. Virgin pilots face cuts in wages and conditions. Virgin Independent Pilots Association chairman John Lyons said the new pilots` agreement comes at an important time. Virgin Australia has struck a final factory deal with unionized workers after nearly three-quarters of its pilots agreed to a new two-year contract that guarantees wage increases and job security. It will now be subject to approval by the Fair Work Commission – the last hurdle for Virgin to reach the seven new staff agreements. Bain`s ability to reset virgin pilots` salaries is made possible in part by the expiration of their company agreement, but the success in achieving the result has been bolstered by the fact that there are tens of thousands of surplus pilots worldwide. It also guarantees Virgin pilots at least 12 days off per 28-day period, while Virgin has committed not to make additional forced redundancies for pilots before the end of 2022.
“The current aviation climate has provided difficult bargaining conditions for workers, but thanks to strong and united Von pilots, pilots have managed to get a good package,” he said. Virgin management welcomed the deal last night, with a spokesman saying it would ensure the safety and security of pilots. “The current aviation climate offered difficult bargaining conditions for workers, but thanks to strong and united Greatr pilots, it was possible to achieve a good package. Given the fatigue of more than a year of uncertainty and the yo-yo effect of stand-ups and stand-downs, the pilots persevered to ensure the best possible outcome for themselves and their families, while ensuring they can do their jobs to the high standards expected of the airline,” he said. According to the unions, 73% of Virgin Australia pilots voted in favour of the new company deal, which will now be sent to the Fair Work Commission for final approval. Omicron`s recent coup has made pilots and cabin crew wonder why they haven`t chosen a career where they can work from home. Virgin has already given the Virgin pilots` union the broad outlines of the wage and labour issues it wants to address, but few quantitative details while negotiations on a new company collective agreement are still at an early stage. Amid widespread speculation that the airline will soon announce employee layoffs or layoffs, Virgin Australia said on August 10 that it had struck a deal with its 800 pilots that would protect it from layoffs until at least the end of next year. The deal was accepted by 73% of pilots who agreed to a lower pay raise in exchange for job protection. The pilots had already voted against a deal proposed by Virgin in December. Qantas makes no secret of the fact that if Virgin breaks through the wages and conditions of its pilots, it will go to the unions to compensate for its competitive disadvantage.
VIPA president John Lyons said the pilots expect the best possible outcome for themselves and their families, while ensuring they can do their jobs to the high standards Virgin expects. “We congratulate Virgin`s pilots for their good results and safety for the future,” he said. STT National Secretary Michael Kaine praised the result and congratulated Virgin`s pilots for staying strong during a turbulent time. AfAP said a major benefit is three hourly rate increases throughout the agreement, which equates to a 4.9 percent increase in the current agreement and a minimum of 12 days per 28-day duty period. The Australian Air Pilots Federation, which represents 70 per cent of Virgin`s 737 pilots, said the negotiated package included three hourly fare increases for pilots over the next 30 months, representing an overall increase of 4.9 per cent over the current corporate agreement. .