Unite, the UK’s leading union, has secured a dramatic pay increase for workers employed as cabin crew by Qantas in the UK.
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The 550 workers who fly out of Heathrow Terminal 3 will receive pay increases of between 11 and 18 per cent, the uplifts will be backdated to July.
The dispute arose in April when members were unable to keep step with the cost-of-living crisis due to being tied to a four year pay deal of an annual three per cent increase, signed in 2022 following the pandemic.
Qantas were forced to bring forward this year’s pay increase to April on basic pay for certain grades of cabin crew with 1-2 years’ service to respond to an increase of the national living wage. Unite used that opportunity to reopen pay negotiations halfway through a pay deal. This was unprecedented.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a tremendous pay increase which has been secured by the hard work and dedication of our reps and members at Qantas.
“This is further evidence how Unite’s laser like focus on jobs, pay and conditions is delivering clear dividends for our members.
Following nine months of negotiations the resulting increase were agreed:
• Flight attendants/Business Flight Attendants base pay 15 per cent
• Customer service supervisors base pay 12 per cent
• Customer service managers 8 per cent.
On top of this all groups received a three per cent increase on base pay and variable pay as previously agreed.
Unite has also secured the agreement that an increase in pension pay due to be implemented in 2025 has been brought forward.
Employer’s pension contributions will increase from five per cent to nine per cent and the introduction of a salary sacrifice scheme will effectively mean workers receive 10 per cent, with no additional contributions from themselves. ■
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