The union representing Victorian aircraft refueling workers has applied to the Fair Work Commission to take protected industrial action – including the right to strike.
Negotiations for a new enterprise agreement between the Transport Workers Union and Viva Energy Australia/Zip broke down in talks this afternoon.
TWU members, who currently service the vast majority of domestic and international Emirates, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin flights departing Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, will vote on whether to take strike action in coming days.
The TWU has a very strong membership among refuelling staff at Tullamarine and flights would be disrupted or cease for the duration of any protected strike action.
Talks between the union and the company have been underway for six months, however the company this afternoon refused to increase its initial insulting offer.
TWU (Vic/Tas Branch) Secretary and TWU ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ President John Berger said there was genuine and widespread outrage in the Viva membership.
“These workers requested the most modest of pay increases but that was rejected by the company. Just imagine being told by your boss you are only worth the smallest of pay rises – regardless of the impact this will have on your life and how you are able to cover the increasing cost of living,” Mr Berger said.
“We are hearing across-the-board support for wage growth in Australia, but we are seeing more and more aviation jobs become poorly-paid and insecure and the crisis in supply chains is impacting the worker at the bottom the most.
“TWU members are available to continue discussions with the company, but they are also prepared to stand together to achieve their claim because they are angered and insulted at the company’s unwillingness to table a fair and reasonable offer.
“Refuellers work long hours from early morning to the dead of night in performing an important, and highly-dangerous, community service.”
Viva is Australia’s largest supplier of jet fuel by volume with a presence in every major airport.
- TWU members are fighting for a pay increase of 3% a year over the life of the three-year agreement.
- Viva offered just a 1% increase in the first year and a 2% increase in the second and third years. It is also refusing to back pay workers to the beginning of EBA negotiations.
- The parties met this afternoon but the company refused to increase its original offer.
- Viva have indicated that it will put the agreement out to members for a vote despite it not being supported by TWU members.
