“The agreement also provides a guarantee not to lay off until the end of 2022 and a solid revenue base throughout the current period of instability.” 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. According to the two unions, a specialized pilot department will be created within TWU to give pilots “a strong voice” among other air transport workers, including cabin crew, baggage handlers, cleaners, caterers and security personnel. “We congratulate Virgin`s pilot projects for their good results and for ensuring safety for the future. Signing a decent enterprise contract allows pilots to focus solely on the important task of getting the planes into the skies safely,” he said. “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. The agreement gives pilots fare increases, protection against forced dismissal until December 2022, guaranteed 57.5 hours per month with the possibility of increasing hours by “changing trips” with other pilots. Omicron`s recent coup has made pilots and cabin crew wonder why they haven`t chosen a career where they can work from home. It will now be subject to approval by the Fair Work Commission – the last hurdle for Virgin to reach the seven new staff agreements. The deal concludes a long period of negotiations after Virgin left the administration in November 2020. Meanwhile, pilots have had to deal with periodic shutdowns and AFAP has been working to ensure flights and revenues are shared. Meanwhile, about three-quarters of Virgin pilots voted in favor of a new operating deal amid the aviation chaos caused by widespread lockdowns.
John Lyons, chairman of the Virgin Independent Pilots Association (VIPA), said the new pilot contract comes at an important time. The deal comes at a time when VIPA will merge with the Transport Workers` Union. Deal avoids pilot layoffs by the end of 2022, but speculation remains The airline will soon lay off more employees 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. A Virgin Australia spokesman said the deal would ensure the “safety and security” of pilots and allow the airline to respond to short-term pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virgin Independent Pilots Association (VIPA) and the Transport Workers` Union, which will merge, also welcomed the agreement. Vipa president John Lyons said it happened at an important time. “The current aviation climate has provided difficult conditions for workers to negotiate, but by staying strong and united, Virgin pilots have managed to get a good package,” Lyons said. “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.” The two men will create a specialized pilot department to give pilots a stronger voice in collaboration with cabin crew, baggage handlers, tarmac workers and other personnel. A specialized pilot department will be created to give pilots a voice when they join tWU members who cover cabin crew, baggage handlers, apron workers, aircraft cleaners, caterers, reflectors and safety personnel in the fight to raise standards in aviation.
It covers pilots covered by the Virgin Independent Pilots Association (VIPA) and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP). 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. STT National Secretary Michael Kaine praised the result and congratulated Virgin`s pilots for staying strong during a turbulent time. Of the 94% of the pilot group that voted, almost three-quarters (73%) voted in favour of the proposal. The vote followed the pilots` rejection of an initial offer in December last year. “The approval of the agreement provides Virgin B737 pilots with safety in difficult times. While the deal isn`t perfect, it represents a solid platform to build on in the future,” said Deanna Cain, AFAP`s Senior Legal and Industrial Manager. The pilot deal is the last of seven Virgin deals to be voted on under new owner Bain Capital and will be subject to fair work board approval. “The approval of the agreement provides Virgin B737 pilots with safety in difficult times. While the deal isn`t perfect, it represents a solid platform to build on in the future,” said Deanna Cain, AFAP`s Senior Legal and Industrial Manager. “The pilots took a pragmatic view in the circumstances and voted to ensure certainty in their working conditions. The deal guarantees more time at home and increases their hourly rates over the next two and a half years.
The agreement also provides a guarantee not to lay off until the end of 2022 and a solid revenue base during the current period of instability,” Cain said. “Afap and Virgin Australia have both compromised and achieved a balanced result that will help both pilots and society manage the current instability in the industry until internal borders remain open at all times.” 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. Amid widespread speculation that the airline will soon announce holidays or layoffs, Virgin Australia said on September 10. August that it has reached an agreement with its 800 pilots that will protect them from dismissal at least until 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. “We congratulate Virgin`s pilots for their good results and safety for the future,” he said. Under the agreement, a pilot`s minimum guaranteed hours will increase from 69 hours per month to 57.5 hours, with a guarantee of 12 days off in 28.
“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.” 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. Virgin management welcomed the deal last night, with a spokesman saying it would ensure the safety and security of pilots. 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. Virgin Australia has finally reached an agreement with its pilots for a new company deal, amid ongoing border closures that threaten to cause massive disruption within the airline. Virgin Australia`s B737 pilots voted strongly in favour of a new corporate agreement (EA) negotiated by AFAP (equivalent to 70% of the B737 pilot group). 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. “I don`t know anything about others, but for me, there`s no better way to get rid of the cobwebs of lockdown than to experience a new place or reconnect with old friends.” Save my name, email address, and website in this browser to comment next time. . It would also allow the parties to work together “to address the short-term pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a long-term future,” he said. Published: Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Category: Press Releases “); WinPrint.document.close(); WinPrint.focus(); setTimeout(function() { WinPrint.print(); }, 500); return false; }); });; eds1_8(function ($) { if (typeof edn_fluidvids != `undefined`) edn_fluidvids.init({ selector: [`.edn_fluidVideo iframe`], players: [`www.youtube.com`, `player.vimeo.com`] }); }); /*]]>*/.
“These standards, which include fair wage rates and enforcement to ensure the crew is rested and not exhausted, will ultimately help secure Virgin`s future,” he said. .