UPDATE - ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
MEMBERS TO CONSIDER COMPANY OFFER
AFAP TO SCHEDULE MEMBERS MEETINGS
Over the past month your AFAP and Pilot Representatives have continued to try to reach agreement with the company over the terms of a new enterprise agreement (EA).
Unfortunately, progress has been slow, unassisted by the company reneging of agreed matters.
Summary
Several weeks ago we advised that management and your Representatives appeared before Commissioner Riordan at the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in compulsory conciliation conferences following the protected action ballot.
Following that process it was our understanding an ‘in principle’ agreement had been reached, at which point we anticipated an (updated) EA being put to a vote of pilots (following the required minimum seven day 'Access Period').
Unfortunately, that never occurred. Because the company reneged on various issues including DTA rates (being struck at ATO rates) and confusion from the company regarding the eligibility of the two FIR (flying instructor rating) allowances.
Consequently, we were back in the FWC last week on 10 and 11 July to try and resolve those previously settled, but now reneged, matters before Commissioner Riordan.
The result of the company’s revised position on those several matters consequentially re-opened a number of other issues, particularly Award based entitlements including annual leave, transfers, terminations and redundancy.
Your Representatives were hopeful that all outstanding matters would be resolved during those two days of conciliation until it became clear that management had completely 'pushed back' back on a number of issues, and pressed for a final offer as their last offer.
The AFAP ultimately rejected their overall offer.
What Then?
After the conclusion of the second day of the conciliation conference last week, the company put a further revised offer to your AFAP Representatives (via Commissioner Riordan).
Your AFAP Representatives subsequently responded with a further counter-offer.
Consequently, Commissioner Riordan scheduled a further conciliation conference (by telephone) to see whether the outstanding matters could be resolved. That further conference took place yesterday morning, starting just after 08:00 AEST, and lasted for approximately three hours including direct party-party discussions, but with little progress being made other than, late in the day, the company proposed some very minor and largely inconsequential changes.
In considering that latest offer your Representatives formed the view that the package ought now be “handed over” to members to consider and determine – whether to accept, reject and/or seek on an alternative path.
Regardless of anything, your Pilot Representatives Mark Lynch and, until he left, Ryan Lugg have been outstanding and resolute in advocating on behalf of the Pilot Group. They acted with integrity and passion and can absolutely hold their heads high for the standards they brought to the negotiating table.
However, it is also important to remove the company’s “questionable” conduct from our consideration, and to form a view on the proposal based on the proposal, and whether it satisfies the aspirations and objectives of members.
In other words, we now look to members for your direction.
Accordingly, the AFAP will schedule two MEMBERS’ “teams meetings” to present the package for your consideration and subsequent direction.
The teams meetings will be held at:
- 1100 AEST Monday 22 July
And
- 1330 AEST Wednesday 24 July.
Please watch out for the teams invites through your emails.
A copy of the company’s offer will be forwarded to members prior to the meetings. The company is being informed of the meetings and will be asked to facilitate attendance to maximise membership involvement.
All members are encouraged to attend the teams meeting most convenient to you. In the meantime if you have any questions please contact AFAP Senior Industrial Officer David Stephens (david@afap.org.au) or your Pilot Representative Mark Lynch.
AFAP INDUSTRIAL TEAM