Key Takeaways
- • Virgin Australia cabin crew are moving toward industrial action, with a vote on taking action forthcoming, as pay and conditions have not returned to pre-pandemic levels according to the Transport Workers' Union (TWU).
- • Bain Capital has extracted $2.7 billion from Virgin Australia since its 2020 purchase, per the TWU, roughly four times its reported $730 million investment.
- • Virgin Australia posted a record $501 million profit in its last financial year, after its IPO, while former CEO Jayne Hrdlicka received a reported $50 million payout when she departed in 2025.
- • The TWU and the Australian Services Union (ASU) have lodged for a Protected Action Ballot at Virgin Guest Services over rostering and conditions.
- • The union welcomed the Federal Government's commitment to an Aviation Industry Coordination Council, though it remains a long-term process.
Summary
Virgin Australia cabin crew will soon vote on taking industrial action, according to the Transport Workers' Union (TWU), as their pay and conditions have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels despite the airline reporting record profits. The union says the airline's owner, private equity firm Bain Capital, has extracted $2.7 billion following its 2020 purchase of the carrier. The TWU states that this represents nearly four times Bain's $730 million investment.
The union highlighted several financial developments in its statement. Virgin Australia posted a record $501 million profit for the last financial year, following its IPO, and paid $50 million to former CEO Jayne Hrdlicka when she departed in 2025. Cabin crew took pay and conditions cuts during COVID-19 to keep the airline operating, and the TWU is calling on Bain to reinvest profits into the workforce.
Crew are seeking changes including fairer rostering to reduce duty limits that contribute to exhaustion, meaningful progression through pay classifications, and stronger fatigue protections, including longer minimum rest periods. The TWU says the company has refused to commit to fair rostering arrangements, describing fatigue among crew as having reached crisis levels.
Separately, the TWU and the ASU have lodged for a Protected Action Ballot at Virgin Guest Services, where workers are seeking similar rostering reforms and protections for existing conditions. The union also noted that hundreds of Qantas ground workers were preparing further strike action at airports nationwide, in a dispute over pay and conditions.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said that the airline is making record profits while Bain is extracting billions, and that Bain can afford to invest in its workforce. The union commended the Federal Government for committing to an Aviation Industry Coordination Council as a long-term solution for the aviation sector, while stressing that legislation will be needed to make the council effective.
The union highlighted several financial developments in its statement. Virgin Australia posted a record $501 million profit for the last financial year, following its IPO, and paid $50 million to former CEO Jayne Hrdlicka when she departed in 2025. Cabin crew took pay and conditions cuts during COVID-19 to keep the airline operating, and the TWU is calling on Bain to reinvest profits into the workforce.
Crew are seeking changes including fairer rostering to reduce duty limits that contribute to exhaustion, meaningful progression through pay classifications, and stronger fatigue protections, including longer minimum rest periods. The TWU says the company has refused to commit to fair rostering arrangements, describing fatigue among crew as having reached crisis levels.
Separately, the TWU and the ASU have lodged for a Protected Action Ballot at Virgin Guest Services, where workers are seeking similar rostering reforms and protections for existing conditions. The union also noted that hundreds of Qantas ground workers were preparing further strike action at airports nationwide, in a dispute over pay and conditions.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said that the airline is making record profits while Bain is extracting billions, and that Bain can afford to invest in its workforce. The union commended the Federal Government for committing to an Aviation Industry Coordination Council as a long-term solution for the aviation sector, while stressing that legislation will be needed to make the council effective.
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