Our experienced team, from:
- leadership to our legal and industrial team,
- campaigners and organisers,
- a specialised communications and media unit, and
- political and research
works side-by-side with members on everything from negotiating your EA, your safety at work, and any other workplace issues, all while we campaign together for better standards across the entire aviation industry.
Being TWU cabin crew means that you, our members, are the union.
What we’re tackling
Our survey of over 2000 aviation workers, including 400 cabin crew, showed there are significant issues to tackle.
That’s why we have a clear plan to tackle:
Fairer pay
We’ve working towards fairer pay in bargaining, including gender-based undervaluation of cabin crew work.
Fairer duty hours
We’ve begun campaigns to reduce duty hours to bring back better work-life balance for cabin crew
Better rostering
Fatigue is a significant issue for crew and this is another area we’re addressing in upcoming bargaining
Pressure to work unsafely
Medical incidents
Fatigue
Work-life balance
97%
of cabin crew
have felt pressured to work unsafely, including by rushing, working long hours, or from understaffing
Duty hour expectations are beyond humane.
— Cabin Crew Member
96%
of cabin crew
have dealt with medical emergencies
Medical incident where we have to land ASAP and have ambulance meet the aircraft.
— Cabin Crew Member
96%
of cabin crew
of cabin crew say safety is compromised by fatigue and excessive hours
One of the biggest issues with safety is fatigue management due to poor rostering and long duties.
— Cabin Crew Member
82%
of cabin crew
don’t have enough time to see family and friends.
I had to go part time in order to cope with the strain of always being tired and not being home for family.
— Cabin Crew Member
It’s time your value was recognised.
The role of cabin crew—a safety critical job—has become more insecure and understaffed over the last decade. We’re working to ensure your value is properly recognised.
Join the fight for better pay, duty hours and rostering.
Cabin Crew wins
Jetstar Same Job Same Pay
TWU members fought for Same Job Same Pay laws which will see Jetstar cabin crew receive up to $8000 pay rises. Qantas Freight workers will see similar increases.
Virgin share scheme win
As part of a claim on Virgin’s owners Bain Capital, TWU members called for an employee share scheme as part of the airline’s IPO—which Virgin has now committed to.
First-ever Protected Action Ballots
In a historic win, cabin crew and ground workers were the first Virgin work group to file a Protected Action Ballot. This unity led to agreements with huge improvements in pay, conditions, and work-life balance.
Aviation wins
With members right across the airport, we have the power to campaign together for better pay and conditions for all aviation workers.
Qantas
We took on Australia’s biggest corporate bully, Qantas, over its illegal outsourcing of 1800 workers and won twice in the Federal Court, then finally in the High Court. $120 million in compensation will be paid to affected workers and a further $90 million as a penalty.
Virgin and Bain
In 2023 Virgin ground, cabin crew and pilot members united to present a claim on the airline’s owners, Bain Capital. They’ve achieved huge increases to pay, conditions and work-life balance.
dnata strikes
In 2024, dnata ground workers took nationwide strike action to begin rebuilding decent aviation jobs, winning up to 12% pay increases over two years. Meanwhile we’re working to lift up Swissport workers, who receive the lowest pay and conditions of ground workers.
Aviation workers have been part of the TWU for almost a century.
In 1937, ground handlers joined our thousands of road transport members, and we became the Transport Workers’ Union.
The TWU now represents over 10,000 workers across the airport—from ground workers, refuellers, catering staff and security below the wing, to cabin crew and pilots above the wing.
The TWU is a union led by members.
A community of thousands, TWU members in aviation are leading the charge to decent jobs with good pay, job security and conditions.
…and backed by an experienced team.
With in-house campaigning and legal teams, as well as barristers on retainer, you’ve got a wealth of experience on your side.
What we’re up against
Aviation CEOs have for many years prioritised profits over people.
Working together across the airport we have a plan to:
Improve standards in job security
Make sure workers have work life balance
Ensure safety
We’re campaigning for a system in aviation that can take all needs into account – not just aviation executives but workers and the broader community.
Why join?
Your membership matters more than you think.
With strong membership we have the power to win better outcomes, are taken more seriously by aviation companies, and can create long-lasting change.
Join to bring back fairer work life balance and pay.
What members say
Joining the TWU empowers cabin crew to advocate for their collective rights, ensure fairness and provide support in challenging situations.
Aviation is not keeping up with the economic challenges in today’s society. We need to improve our pay and conditions to sustain a better work life balance.
