Virgin wants changes - but where’s the offer?

 ASU delegates and officials recently met with Virgin Australia as part of ongoing bargaining for your new Guest Services and Guest Contact Enterprise Agreement (EA).

While Virgin has outlined the types of changes it seeks (such as cuts to your personal leave and Days In Lieu), it has not set out a clear or credible wages position to offset those changes. It is not acceptable for the company to ask workers to bargain over a blank cheque.

The ASU has been clear: workers should not be required to trade away conditions to secure a fair pay increase.

ROSTERING PROPOSALS
Virgin presented further information regarding its rostering proposals, including:
  • variable shift lengths with the potential for shifts of up to ten hours at single rates;
  • guaranteed three days off in a row; and
  • minimum shift lengths for Part Time employees Increased to five hours

These proposals are contingent on agreement on ten-hour shifts being agreed to without overtime that is currently payable for work in excess of eight hours a day.

While Virgin is framing these proposals around flexibility and more efficient rostering, we have raised concerns about:
  • longer shifts interacting with fatigue and recovery,
  • the impact on overtime availability and corresponding potential hit to members' take-home pay and
  • the broader effect on work–life balance.

These proposals are still at an early stage, and we will push Virgin for further information.

NIL 48 (SHORT‑NOTICE ROSTER CHANGES)
This is a key issue for members, and it is encouraging that there is engagement on how to improve this.

The ASU is seeking an approach that:
  • ensures workers are properly compensated when the company changes shifts at short notice; and
  • maintains appropriate flexibility for employees to initiate changes themselves where it suits them.

While we’ve had constructive and positive discussions, this issue is not resolved. We will continue to work on this claim.

WHERE THINGS STAND ON PAY
Pay remains the central issue in bargaining. The ASU has made it clear that:
  • any pay outcome must be transparent, and
  • members must understand exactly what they are being offered before being asked to give anything up.

Virgin should respect workers and offer an increase in pay without asking workers to accept reduced conditions.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MEMBERS
Virgin’s current approach would see workers asked to consider changes to conditions without a clear return. That is not something the ASU will accept.

Your union will continue to:
  • push for fair and defined wage increases,
  • protect existing conditions, and
  • ensure any proposed changes are fully understood before being considered.

Real progress will require continued pressure and member support to grow our collective strength across Virgin Australia. Share this communication with your colleagues and encourage them to join your Union to support our campaign.

Above: The ASU is the union fighting for workers at Virgin Australia.