AFAP Qantas Pilot Council Briefing No.9
Happy Friday Everyone!
The Qantas Pilots Council had a lengthy meeting last Tuesday with AFAP legal and IR present, covering an array of topics. We brought several member issues to the table as well as covering the broader EA issues.
Short Haul news
Last week we began the process of establishing a Short-Haul subcommittee to consult on all Short-Haul related matters, particularly short haul EA related matters. This committee will bring Short-Haul specific issues to the QPC. As we grow our membership, more Council positions will become available and we anticipate Short-Haul members nominating for these positions. It is worth noting that we have already almost doubled our mainline membership since the QPC was established, and SH members make up a large portion of this growth.
Long Haul news
We are pleased to advise members that the AFAP IR lawyers will undertake Long Haul negotiations as professional negotiators. This reflects the process for the Short Haul negotiations.
The AFAP IR lawyers have extensive experience negotiating on behalf of airline pilots and are best placed in our industry to undertake such a monumental and complex task. They have extensive and broad knowledge of the industry’s various current and historical agreements for all Australian airlines, as well as the political, economic, and legal landscapes both domestically and globally which directly impact such negotiations. They are also specialists in negotiation strategy.
The AFAP notes that the current environment is significantly different (which favours the pilots’ position) from that of past negotiations and these recognised differences must be factored in. Joining these negotiators in the room will be members of the AFAP LH EA advisory team.
On Tuesday we began the process of formally establishing this Long Haul EA advisory team, which will consist of AFAP pilot members elected by the QPC. These advisors will assist and support the AFAP IR Lawyers and the QPC during negotiations. We have several interested parties for these positions, but invite any other members who would like to get involved to get in touch.
Blank-line holders
We have been actively monitoring the blank-line holder numbers since early last year. We are concerned the percentage of blank-line holders has been elevated for a long period of time through multiple categories. Initially this was thought to be a post-Covid teething issue, however, it appears to have persisted. We met with the Company in December and raised this issue. We were advised at the time that blank-lines were being used as a resource management tool to avoid assigned leave. We believe this was not the intention of the shared blank-line system, and are wary of its potential misuse. We expressed members’ concerns about the situation.
Subsequently, we have seen the percentages of blank-line holders in various categories decline. While we are pleased to see this change in the short-term, the long term issue must continue to be addressed with the Company. We will continue to monitor this issue. This issue will be covered in the long haul survey, as it may need to be addressed through EA negotiations.
Industry News
Network Aviation pilots have recommenced PIA, as is their right under Australian law. As you may be aware, Qantas owned Network Aviation pilots fly Qantas kangaroo tails on Short-haul sized aircraft, while wearing Qantas uniforms, flying Qantas passengers on Qantas routes. These pilots are seeking conditions similar to Qantas mainline SH pilots. It should also be noted that Network pilots have not received a pay rise since 2019 and, in some instances, pilots have been paid below award conditions. Given the industry context, very high inflation in recent years, and tangible cost of living increases, it is understandable these pilots are seeking the conditions they have outlined in their log of claims.
The QPC supports the legal rights of the AFAP Network members to conduct PIA as approved by the FWC. The QPC have been made aware of what appears to be Company attempts to coerce mainline SH members to perform duties outside their normal EA required operations. These duties appear to be an attempt to utilise SH members as ‘strikebreakers’.
The AFAP urge you not to volunteer for this strike breaking tactic. While a pilot rostered for duty in accordance with their EA cannot refuse, if the Company attempts to seek for volunteers we urge members to support your Network colleagues and NOT Volunteer. The QPC do not believe that performing duties outside the EA as a strikebreaker is in the best interests of SH pilots, Network Aviation pilots, or the broader industry in general.
For any general inquiries regarding this update or other matters at Qantas please contact the AFAP legal and industrial team of Senior Legal/ Industrial Officer Pat Larkins (
patrick@afap.org.au), Senior Industrial Officer Chris Aikens (
chris@afap.org.au), or Executive Director Simon Lutton (
simon@afap.org.au).
Regards,
AFAP Qantas Pilot Council
Michael Egan - Chair
Mark Gilmour - Vice- Chair
Daniel Kobeleff - Secretary
Michael Armessen - Committee Member