The Australian Services Union has urged the Federal Government to meet with Virgin Australia’s successful bidder Bain Capital and unions representing aviation workers as soon as possible to secure a plan for the airline’s survival.
Australian Services Union Assistant National Secretary Linda White today welcomed the news that Bain would likely emerge as the successful bidder for Virgin as an important next step in restarting Australia’s aviation industry.
“Virgin staff and thousands of other aviation workers who rely on Virgin flying have been on tenterhooks throughout the administration process,” she said.
“We look forward to working with Bain to ensure Virgin is in the best position to keep flying, but these are still dangerous times for the aviation industry and we must all work together if we are going to have a strong aviation future.
“The axing of 6000 jobs at Qantas is short-sighted and needs to be reversed, but far worse could come at Virgin if the government does not step in.
“Virgin’s successful bidder and Qantas must sit down and engage urgently with the Federal Government on an Aviation Keeper package to protect jobs,” Ms White said.
“It is time the Federal Government put aside its aversion to targeted industry assistance and took some responsibility for shielding the aviation industry from mass job cuts.
“As the clock ticks down on JobKeeper, we need to establish an Aviation Keeper package to assist the industry. We cannot afford to sit back and leave the market to sort it out because that will just result in families losing their incomes and long-term economic damage.
“The Australian economy cannot afford a significant contraction of the aviation industry. Flying keeps this vast land connected, and we will need these planes and staff as we recover from the impact of COVID-19.
“The Australian Services Union will be by workers’ sides during this difficult and uncertain time – we need to keep Australia flying.”