ASU secures an improved Enterprise Agreement offer: Get ready to cast your vote

The ASU and Virgin Australia have successfully reached an in-principle agreement on new terms and conditions for Guest Services and the Guest Contact Centre. Through unity, workers have stood together to achieve this improved offer. The results are a markedly improved offer that we strongly recommend our members vote in favour of. Your collective strength has driven positive change, and this agreement reflects our shared commitment to securing better conditions for all.

The Airline will commence the access period on Monday, 4 September 2023. This period allows you to view the proposed Enterprise Agreement and consider the proposal. A formal vote will commence on 11 September 2023, where you will be asked to cast your vote.

Vote yes to an Enterprise Agreement that provides:

• An improved pay offer over the life of the Enterprise Agreement. If the new Virgin Australia Guest Services Agreement is voted up, in 2023, Virgin Australia’s Guest Services wages will increase by 8.75%, comprising 5.75% from the increase already paid from 1 July and an additional 3% backdated to 1 July. This is in comparison to Virgin Australia’s initial offer of just 7.1% for 2023, which workers voted down. This year, workers have achieved an additional 1.65% by voting down the initial proposal. The current offer will see Virgin Australia workers' wages no longer at the bottom and lift it above some competitors.
• Improve allowances, such as shift buddy/ mentor, higher duties allowance, line trainer, etc.
• Improves and protects parental leave, including superannuation being paid on Virgin Australia’s paid leave.
• A once-off payment of $2000 (for employees with more than 12 months of service) or $750 (for employees with less than 12 months of service) plus superannuation on top of that payment,
• Protects sick leave.
• Ensures that Days in Lieu can still be accrued to a maximum of 5,
• Improves breaks by adding travel time to the break and introduces a payment for when breaks are not provided.
• Ensuring meaningful rest when rostering between late and early shifts.
• Introduces an additional part-time model. The model is new in the industry and is designed to create better roster stability. Given it is a new model, a careful approach will be adopted in its implementation.
• Introduces a consistent classification structure that will allow workers to progress based on skill and introduces new levels to create a career path; and
• Creates consistency and lifts minimum hours to 25 hours per port.

The proposed Enterprise Agreement offers protection to workers by requiring that Virgin Australia must implement the changes to the classification structure within eight weeks of the Enterprise Agreement being approved by the Fair Work Commission, and the Airline must backpay workers.

Your negotiating team recommends voting “yes” to the proposed Enterprise Agreement.

If you are not already a member, you can join online here: www.asu.asn.au/asujoin. If you require any support or additional information, please contact your local ASU delegates or ASU organiser at: