Virgin Australia delays vote on controversial enterprise settlement that may reduce pilots’ days off

Virgin Australia has made a last-minute resolution to delay placing a controversial pilots’ enterprise deal to vote, after outcry about its plan to chop days off and issues that pilot rostering was nearing unsafe limits.

The choice comes as Civil Aviation Security Authority (Casa) officers flagged they were aware of fatigue concerns over Virgin Australia’s pilot rostering after the Guardian revealed internal disquiet on the issue amongst senior pilots and frustration at what they felt was an insufficient response from administration.

Matthew Bouttell, the manager supervisor of Casa’s regulatory oversight division, advised a Senate estimates listening to final month “there was changes to [Virgin’s] roster the place they’re getting nearer to the bounds of that fatigue danger administration system”.

Some pilots alleged they’re routinely rostered to work most shift lengths – 12 hours and longer within the occasion of delays – on back-to-back days, whereas permitting for simply the authorized minimal relaxation interval of 12 hours.

Bouttell added that, in a current 28-day pilot roster interval, 45 crew eliminated themselves from obligation attributable to fatigue – just below 5% of pilots on the airline.

Casa later released a statement tempering the priority raised in Bouttell’s feedback about rostering nearer to authorised anti-fatigue limits. It insisted Virgin was nonetheless working on the protected aspect of the bounds. Nevertheless, Casa mentioned “we’re partaking with Virgin Australia on [fatigue] claims raised by means of the media”.

Guardian Australia previously reported concerns from pilots that self-reporting fatigue can result in much less pay in the event that they refuse a shift. Pilots have additionally expressed anger at outdated roster software program which they declare has not been changed regardless of a promise to take action by the homeowners of the airline, personal fairness agency Bain Capital.

The frustrations and fatigue issues have laid the groundwork for tense negotiations over pilots’ new enterprise deal.

Virgin Australia and the Transport Staff’ Union (TWU) have been in a standoff over a proposal from the airline to strip pilots of six days’ annual depart.

Underneath Virgin pilots’ current enterprise settlement, which lapses on the finish of June, pilots are entitled to 12 days off each 28-day roster interval, of which there are 13 durations a 12 months. For the brand new deal, Virgin Australia had been proposing that for six of the 13 roster durations, days off could be reduce to 11.

As a part of the proposed deal – which has been agreed with the Australian Federation of Air Pilots, a union which represents a majority of pilots at Virgin – pilots would obtain a 9.38% pay rise within the first 12 months, and three% rises within the second and third years, in return for the lack of the six days off.

The airline had initially dismissed the outcomes of a TWU survey which discovered that of 180 pilot respondents, 93% supposed to vote no to the proposed deal.

Nevertheless, after a collection of “roadshow” city hall-style classes with pilots over the previous week, the airline has delayed the entry interval – a seven-day interval earlier than an enterprise settlement could be voted on – which had been attributable to begin on Friday.

“Discussions with our pilots throughout Enterprise Settlement (EA) roadshows this week have been invaluable and constructive. We pay attention actively in these discussions and wherever we are able to, throughout the bounds of the prevailing pay provide, tackle board the suggestions,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson mentioned.

“Primarily based on the suggestions from our pilot staff, there are a number of small factors with respect to the documentation which we’re contemplating earlier than we launch the ultimate EA doc and start the voting course of.”

Virgin is predicted to finalise its enterprise settlement and start the entry interval subsequent week.

The TWU nationwide secretary, Michael Kaine, mentioned this was “a optimistic turnaround from Virgin” and its homeowners, Bain.

“Pilots have raised their voices on fatiguing rosters and the necessity to preserve their days off after the promise of a brand new rostering system was deserted,” he mentioned.

“Virgin should return to the desk and repair these excellent points to succeed in an settlement value voting for,” he mentioned.