Skydiving instructors say they are making progress in salary negotiations following the Valentine’s Day strike.
About 70 instructors at Experience Co-owned Skydive Australia went on strike at eight locations across Australia over the weekend, seeking better pay and conditions. it follows similar industrial action Enterprise agreement negotiations reached an impasse in December.
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“The company abandoned negotiations before the strike notice was issued; we have since made further progress with an emergency negotiating meeting last Wednesday and both parties will meet at 3pm today to look at the company’s new offer,” AWU national organizer Jonathan Cook told Qantas.
“AWU members will not stop until they set standards for skydiving instructors in this country. This is the first ever negotiation for the industry and, to be honest, the first time skydivers have had a say in the terms and conditions of their employment.
“Our members know how important it is to get this right, so without an improved offer we expect more strike action in the future.”
In a press release over the weekend, Cook said members would not accept any offer that did not include “fair pay and conditions.”
“We are offering members a subsidy of $58,000 per year, which is a -2.33 per cent pay cut during the cost of living crisis,” he said.
“These negotiations were intense from day one, with skydivers who had worked for the company for decades even being told they would be better off quitting and becoming contractors.
“Our members are not asking for anything extreme – just a secure job that recognizes the high-risk work they do.”
Speaking in December, Experience Co said its previous offer included “some of the best wages and conditions in the industry, including a six-figure salary and job security”.
Experience Co chief executive John O’Sullivan said the AWU’s requirements would “add significant costs and are simply not viable for the business”.
“Skydiving Australia is really a small business that proudly employs mostly young people in rural Australia,” he said.
“These jobs should be encouraged and nurtured, not threatened by the unreasonable and irresponsible behavior of militant union bosses.
“Given the strength of our offer, we cannot fathom this action and we call on the unions to come back to the bargaining table with reasonable expectations so that we can reach agreement as quickly as possible.
“This blow to the union is reckless and unnecessary as we rebuild together.”
The company has been contacted for comment.