Passengers are facing potential travel disruption with Virgin Australia staff taking industrial action as a bitter pay and conditions dispute with the airline escalates.
The action involves Guest Services employees responsible for frontline customer services, including check-in, boarding, gate operations and passenger assistance.
Today’s industrial action is expected to affect operations at major airports, with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide among those facing further disruption on Monday.
The Australian Services Union (ASU) says members will walk off the job for two one-hour periods on Monday, with the stoppages expected to affect morning and afternoon services.
In Sydney and Melbourne, the planned stoppages are from 6.30am to 7.30am and 5pm to 6pm.
In Brisbane, they will take place from 7am to 8am and 4pm to 5pm, while Adelaide staff are scheduled to stop work from 5.30am to 6.30am and 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
The union has also flagged a series of work bans, including suspending routine boarding announcements, gate change calls and final boarding calls, although safety, security and welfare announcements will continue.
Staff will also waive certain fees for excess baggage, seat changes and late changes, while withdrawing some premium services.
The unions warn the action could result in flight delays and cancellations, although the full impact on passengers remains unclear.
The dispute centres on pay increases, working hours, rostering arrangements and staff conditions, with workers arguing that Virgin is expecting employees to deliver a premium airline experience without providing adequate resources and support.
Scott Cowen, ASU Assistant National Secretary, said the airline’s approach was unsustainable.
“Virgin wants to run a premium model on budget resources which is simply not sustainable for workers or passengers,” he said.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has also revealed that 98 per cent of Virgin Australia cabin crew members voted in favour of protected industrial action.
Cabin crew are seeking improved rostering arrangements, better pay progression and stronger fatigue protections, including longer minimum rest periods.
The TWU says workers accepted cuts to pay and conditions to help keep the airline operating during its administration and are now seeking a fairer share of the benefits as the business returns to profitability.
“The message from workers at Virgin is loud and clear: they are literally sick and tired of being run ragged while the airline’s owners treat it as their personal piggy bank,” said Michael Kaine, TWU National Secretary.
“They are fed up with being asked to do more with less, while the owners and executives have the lion’s share of the rewards.”
Virgin Australia has defended its negotiating position, saying it has offered Guest Services employees pay increases of between 17 and 28.9 per cent over three years, alongside more full-time positions and additional days off.
A spokesperson said the airline had contingency plans in place to minimise disruption and remained committed to reaching an agreement with unions.
“Our priority is on minimising any impact on our operations and guests’ travel,” the spokesperson said.
Passengers travelling with Virgin Australia over the coming days are being advised to monitor their flight status and allow additional time at airports.
With further industrial action looming and cabin crew also voting overwhelmingly in favour of taking action, the dispute could become a bigger headache for the airline as the busy Christmas travel period approaches.
