Virgin Australia’s Gate Staff Have Stopped Calling Your Flight

Virgin Australia’s airport workers in four state capitals have started industrial action, and the first stage is one passengers may actually welcome. From November 13, members of the Australian Services Union at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide airports stopped making boarding and gate-change announcements, and began waiving baggage fees, seat-change charges and late fees. Virgin said it did not expect any delays on the first day. The catch is that you need to watch the departure screens yourself, because nobody will call your name at the gate.

The second stage is more disruptive. If no deal is reached, staff will hold boarding until 15 minutes before departure on Monday, November 16, and stop work for two hours at each airport. In Sydney and Melbourne the stoppages are scheduled for 6:30–7:30am and 5–6pm; in Brisbane for 7–8am and 4–5pm; and in Adelaide for 5:30–6:30am and 5:30–6:30pm. The union has warned travelers to expect cancellations and significant delays during those windows.

The dispute centres on nine-hour shifts, pay and cuts to days in lieu. Union members voted for protected industrial action on October 21 after talks at the Fair Work Commission broke down. Virgin Australia says it has put forward an offer worth between 17% and 28.9% over three years, depending on the role.

If you are flying Virgin on Monday, especially at peak morning or evening times, check in online, travel with carry-on only if you can, and arrive early. Watch for messages from the airline offering to move you to another flight, and consider switching voluntarily if you have a connection or a tight onward commitment. Those flying later in the week should keep an eye on whether a deal is struck over the weekend.

Sources: Port Stephens Examiner, TravelTourister