UK-based Qantas cabin crew have won pay rises of up to 18% following nine months of negotiations.
The 550 workers who fly out of Heathrow Terminal 3 will receive pay increases of between 11% and 18%, backdated to July, according to the Unite union.
The Australian carrier confirmed that a deal had been struck without offering detail about the terms agreed.
A Qantas spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to reach agreement that delivers higher rates of pay for our UK-based crew and certainty for our business.”
The dispute arose in April when crew were unable to keep step with the cost-of-living crisis due to being tied to a four year pay deal involving an annual 3% increase, signed in 2022 following the pandemic.
Qantas was forced to bring forward this year’s pay increase to April on basic pay for certain grades of cabin crew with one to two years’ service to respond to an increase of the national living wage, the union said.
Unite used that opportunity to reopen pay negotiations halfway through a pay deal.
The led to increases of 15% for flight attendants, 12% for customer service supervisors and 8% for customer service managers in addition to 3% for all groups on base pay and variable pay as previously agreed, Unite declared.
An increase in pension pay due to be implemented in 2025 has also been brought forward. Employer’s pension contributions will increase from 5% to 9% and the introduction of a salary sacrifice scheme will effectively mean workers receive 10%, with no additional contributions from themselves, the union added.
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.”
Regional officer Lindsey Olliver added: “This pay deal is an excellent example of how if members are united in their demands, significant pay increases can be secured.”