TWU says VA stands down 800+ [VA says under 200] ground staff for three weeks

[Melburnian1]

Probably nothing stopping them doing that down the track. Given government was paying for a lot of the wages anyway with jobkeeper, perhaps they viewed it best to keep the status quo rather than invite more angst during the purchase and takeover process.

Is there a chance VA 2.0 will do this later?

 

[Saab34]

I’d say highly likely. I mean it will involve dollars being saved and we are talking about a private equity mob based on the other side of the globe, certainly no emotional connection between staff. Saving is a saving that’s althey think about.

However it’s a terrible erosion of terms and conditions for those in the roles.

It will get to the point that the only people on the airlines payroll are Pilots and Cabin Crew. Everyone else is outsourced. Even some cabin crew are being outsourced these days to casual and part time contracts.

 

[TheInsider]

It will get to the point that the only people on the airlines payroll are Pilots and Cabin Crew. Everyone else is outsourced. Even some cabin crew are being outsourced these days to casual and part time contracts.

Part-time not necessarily out sourced - but casual yes. Qantas do it, Jetstar do it, Tiger did it. You have Altara and MAM.

MAM – Aviation Support Services

www.mamaviation.net.au

Altara | Aged Care Jobs Melbourne | Airline Recruitment | Jetstar Careers

Australia’s leading organisation in the provision of recruitment, labour hire and employment management services in the health, hospitality, and aviation sectors

altara.com.au

Working for the airlines, but not actual airline staff.

Also for ground staff with Qantas, to get a full-time position you need to be there for at least 20 years (and no I'm not kidding).

 

[jakeseven7]

I’d say highly likely. I mean it will involve dollars being saved and we are talking about a private equity mob based on the other side of the globe, certainly no emotional connection between staff. Saving is a saving that’s althey think about.

However it’s a terrible erosion of terms and conditions for those in the roles.

It will get to the point that the only people on the airlines payroll are Pilots and Cabin Crew. Everyone else is outsourced. Even some cabin crew are being outsourced these days to casual and part time contracts.

Agree 100% Bain will do it.

They need to get the VA2 balance sheet looking lean to sell it again in a few years.

 

[antycbr]

Agree 100% Bain will do it.

They need to get the VA2 balance sheet looking lean to sell it again in a few years.

If their major competitor has done it they would be silly not to look at it.

To be honest I'm not disappointed with Bain so far - I'd prefer them to look at costs and drive them down to make the airline actually make money. There's no white knight around the corner this time - the days of other airlines investing are over after Covid-19. VA needs to make money to survive, and unlike previous CEOs a focus on costs is no bad thing, provided the customer experience doesnt degrade too far.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Agree. It might be disappointing for the workers, and far from an ideal situation - but it is the sad reality. It's kinda wild to think that Virgin is (I think?) now the only direct employer of ramp staff in the country.

 

[Bell21]

Pardon me for briefly going OT, but what do you assert is the VA 'ideal demographic'?

Trendy individuals aged under 35? The sort who'd travel from Melbourne or Sydney to Byron Bay for a hen's/bucks' weekend, or a concert?

Sorry - I missed your question - it was a passing comment, but I'm assuming from some of their rhetoric that small business owners are probably one of their ideal demographics, since in some sort of mid-market / hybrid capacity they're not apparently chasing the corporate market so much, and someone like me is likely to be attracted to flight prices somewhere between Jetstar and QF, whilst still valuing lounge and related perks.