These pilots fly jet aircraft for QantasLink (passenger transport) and Network Aviation (charter contracts).
“Qantas can readily resolve this by recognising that Network pilots are only seeking to achieve terms and conditions of employment that are commonplace amongst the Qantas pilots and the airline industry overall,” said AFAP Senior Industrial Officer Chris Aikens.
The seven terms and conditions that the pilots have put to the company include:
- Two-hour (not 90 minutes) sign-on from reserve, as is common in the industry and in compliance with the Air Pilots Award 2020
- 6:00am (not 4:00am) start after a day off as for pilots at other Qantas/QantasLink operations and in compliance with the Air Pilots Award 2020
- Duty travel in a Business class seat (where available) to improve the opportunity for rest and Fatigue Management
- Same Duty Hours Allowance as for pilots at other Qantas/QantasLink operations
- Overtime increased using the same formula as for pilots at other Qantas/QantasLink operations
- Ten Rostered Days Off as for pilots at other Qantas/QantasLink operations
- Revised rostering appendix providing better rostering rules
"We are dealing with an employer who steadfastly refuses to provide terms and conditions of employment enjoyed by other Qantas Group pilots across the country to Network pilots in WA."
"We are seeing Qantas at its worst showing total disdain for its pilots and the travelling public."
Further comments to be attributed to AFAP Senior Industrial Officer Chris Aikens:
“Our members deeply regret having to take this protected industrial action but are left with no other option.”
“The enterprise agreement expired in 2020 and pilots had their last pay rise in 2019."
"To be clear, the company's much-touted offer of a 25% pay increase would not be applied to all the pilots. It would simply bring the lowest paid among the pilot group up to the Air Pilots Award, which is just the legal minimum standard."
"We have been negotiating in good faith for at least 18 months but the company continues to be inflexible.”
“We remain keen and willing to meet with the company’s management to arrive at some improvements in terms and conditions for the lowest paid jet pilots in the Qantas Group.”
“Network Aviation pilots in Western Australia fly the same aircraft on similar routes and just want to be treated like other Qantas pilots.”
Media Contact: anna@afap.org.au 0400 988 722
Note to Editors: With more than 5500 members, the AFAP is the professional association and industrial organisation for commercial pilots in Australia. It represents and promotes the interests of Australian professional pilots and champions the highest possible standards of aviation safety.
Link: QantasLink Airbus A320 on final approach to Perth, Western Australia, at the end of a flight from Solomon
Link: QantasLink Fokker 100 VH-NHC on final approach to Perth, Western Australia, at the end of a flight from Paraburdoo