Around 505 UK-based Qantas cabin crew have accepted a pay increase of between 11% and 18%.
The employees, who are members of trade union Unite, fly out of Heathrow Terminal Three. Following nine months of negotiations, flight attendants and business flight attendants will see their base pay rise to 15%, customer service supervisors will have a 12% base pay increase and customer service managers will see an 8% uplift.
Additionally, all groups will receive a 3% increase on base pay and variable pay, as previously agreed. The rises will be backdated to July.
Unite has also secured an agreement that a pension uplift due to be implemented in 2025 will be brought forward. The employer’s pension contributions will increase from 5% to 9% and the introduction of a salary sacrifice arrangement will mean staff receive 10%, with no additional contributions from themselves.
The dispute first arose in April when members claimed they were struggling with the cost-of-living crisis because they were tied to a four-year annual 3% increase pay deal, which they signed in 2022.
Due to the rise in the national living wage, Qantas said it was forced to bring forward this year’s basic pay increase to April for certain grades of cabin crew with one to two years’ service. Unite then requested to reopen pay negotiations halfway through the pay deal.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, 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.”
Lindsey Olliver, regional officer at Unite, added: “This pay deal is an excellent example of how if members are united in their demands, significant pay increases can be secured.”
Qantas was contacted for comment prior to publication.
