As enterprise bargaining wraps up with some significant wins for Rex members, things are ramping up in the bargaining for our Virgin, Jetstar and Qantaslink Group 1 members.

Members recently received their employers’ initial offers for the bargaining. This is after months of meetings and campaigning at work to gather member feedback and push our EA claims at the bargaining table.

So far, these airlines’ EA offers have fallen well short of the level of pay increases and improved conditions our members are fighting for. Members have been clear that their new EAs must deliver meaningful pay increases that improve living standards, better classifications structures and career progression, as well as stronger safety protections and real improvements to conditions.

However, these airlines’ initial offers are exactly that — a first offer.

Recent bargaining at Qantas demonstrated what can be achieved when workers stay united and continue pushing for a better outcome. USU/ASU members rejected Qantas’ first offer because it did not go far enough.

By standing together and backing their campaign, workers secured a significantly improved result.

Employers rarely put their best offer on the table first. Better outcomes are won when workers stay organised, united and prepared to take action when necessary.

During EA bargaining, your union must be able to contact every member quickly, so that’s why it’s important to keep your contact information up to date!

If you’re not sure whether your USU has your most up-to-date details, make sure you contact us and update the following:

  • Name
  • Personal email address
  • Work email address
  • Mobile phone number
  • Home address

These airlines’ first offers show that there is still a significant gap between what workers are seeking and what these companies are prepared to offer. That’s why we need to keep organising even outside of EA bargaining, and to keep talking to our workmates about the importance of joining the USU, and to keep building the campaign for better airlines enterprise agreements.