Qantas Short Haul EA Update No 10
This week we closed our SH survey. We thank everyone who took the time to participate in the survey, including the overwhelming response from non-members. We are able to split the results between members and non-members, however, the results are almost identical across the two groups.
This shows consensus on most of the issues covered in the survey. We anticipate the Company will wait until after the ballot before re-commencing negotiations, and we remain committed to a better negotiated outcome than what is presently being offered. We note that as expected, the AFAP has been excluded from the drafting process of the EA because we did not reach agreement with Qantas, nor did we endorse their offer.
In the lead up to EA voting, we almost always see similar fear-based rhetoric originating from predicable sources - typically from sources incentivised by the Company’s industrial strategy. This fear-mongering often centre around fleet changes, the allocation of flying, the impact of downturns, and an array of similar topics.
It is important for pilots to analyse the motivations of the individuals or groups of those who spread this fear, plant doubt and perpetuate unsubstantiated rumours. Having a vested interest in creating a favourable path for the Company’s IR team at the expense of the pilots might encourage some to lean on fear as a means to sway votes. History has shown this fear-based rhetoric almost exclusively benefits the Company. EAs should not be viewed as short-term agreements, and concessions given in EA negotiations reverberate throughout our careers.
We remind our members that they should vote on the merits of the proposed EA put before them, duly considering the context of what has already been given away through previous EAs and the variation, the long-term effects and unintended consequences of the concessions being asked of them, the lack of any guarantees around pay increases advertised from structural changes and what the inflation spike has already done to their purchasing power. We encourage pilots to be sceptical, analytical and calm in this process.
For any inquiries regarding Short Haul bargaining 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