25 September 2008 VB07-08
ATTENTION: All Virgin Blue Cabin Crew
ENTERPRISE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
Your FAAA Virgin Blue Delegates met with Virgin Blue Management yesterday, our first EBA meeting this year.
Virgin Blue Management advised that they are currently considering their position and expect to provide this to us sometime over the next 3 weeks.
Each round of negotiations has its own set of unique challenges. It is no secret that this round of negotiations will require a strong, knowledgeable, united group of Cabin Crew to preserve our current conditions and improve our salaries to keep up with cost-of-living. Trained Industrial Staff support Delegates at the table, as they represent the majority of Crew to achieve fair and reasonable outcomes, having regard to current aviation uncertainty and legislative changes.
As many Crew would know, cost-of-living wage increases have not been automatic in Australia since the late 80’s. Wage increases for most workers are no longer directed by Government, they may only be achieved through enterprise bargaining. The collective strength and united voice of Virgin Blue Cabin Crew through their Union has seen us move from ‘start-up’ salaries, increasing 18% over 3 years, in exchange for changed ways of working as the airline grew, resulting in flexibility and productivity gains for Virgin Blue.
Several FAAA Members have contacted the Association to request the following matters, in addition to those already highlighted through surveys, be considered during the EBA process:
· Job security
· Improved annual leave system including agreed protocols for directed leave
· Rest breaks to be included in scheduled duties/pairings
· Increase to part time
· International wet lease - pay, duty limitations and rest when operating these flights
· Cross-crewing on Virgin Group various aircraft and routes
The key to these negotiations is the continued strong, united voice of Virgin Blue Cabin Crew at the table and out on line. Our strength in numbers will be unmistakeable as we reaffirm consistent knowledge amongst Crew throughout this EBA process. We will communicate information to Crew via our FAAA website and EBA newsletter updates.
As we embark on this next round of negotiations, we ask Crew to support your FAAA Representatives at the table. Please circulate this Newsletter to all Cabin Crew this week.
Any questions or concerns, phone 07 32683323 or email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.