Unions fear Virgin’s new owner will slash pay rates

PILOTS face pay cuts of up to 40 per cent and flight attendants will be expected to work 15 hours straight under Virgin Australia’s new owner Bain Capital, say unions.

Concern about the loss of pay and conditions is mounting as new enterprise agreements are nutted out in an effort to minimise job losses.

A statement from many unions representing Virgin staff, said workers were alarmed at the shortfall in aircraft designated and ready to fly.

“Despite a promise of 75 aircraft there are just 56 ready for flying,” said the statement.

“We will be questioning

Bain on how it plans to keep 6000 workers employed with less aircraft operating.”

Flight Attendants Association of Australia secretary Teri O’Toole said cabin crew were being asked to accept the same sort of pay as 38-hour-aweek office workers.

“They’re being asked to take a significant pay cut to keep flying and there’s been a significant increase in length of duty to as much as 15 hours a day,” Ms O’Toole said.

“We want to work with Bain and Virgin but this shouldn’t be the time to negotiate a complete stripping of conditions and we’re pretty disappointed.”

FAAA industrial officer Steven Reed said international crew would have to take pay cuts of up to $24,000 a year to redeploy to domestic routes.

“It’s like they’re being held hostage. The alternative is you don’t have a job,” he said.

“What’s the point of wanting to stay with the airline and work if you’re going to be working under the lowest standards.”