Qantas’ Network Aviation pilots threaten weekly strike actions if pay spat not resolved

The rostering plans of WA’s powerhouse iron ore miners could be thrown into chaos for months to come after Qantas pilots who fly workers to site vowed to press ahead with weekly strike action as they fight for better pay and conditions. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots — which represents 90 per cent of subsidiary Network Aviation pilots — said it would follow up Thursday’s disruption with protected industrial actions next Wednesday and Thursday. “There will be further days to follow very soon,” AFAP senior industrial officer Chris Aikens told The West Australian on Friday. “(The strikes) will definitely be weekly and they may increase in intensity, as in the number of days per week may also increase. “(WA’s major miners) will need to consider contingencies, that’s for sure, because the action is only going to escalate.” AFAP members met on Thursday to discuss further stoppages, in what Mr Aikens said was the “biggest turnout we’ve ever had of Network pilots”, with well over 100 in attendance. “The pilots were very, very angry at what had happened last week when (Qantas) went away from the table,” he said. “We have no indication that (Qantas) wants to come back to the table at all.” A Qantas spokeswoman said it was reviewing schedules and planning contingencies to “make sure our customers can get where they need to go”. “We’ve been informed by the Australian Federation of Air Pilots of their intention to again hold protected industrial action on Wednesday,” she said. “It is disappointing that the pilots’ union have again chosen to disrupt the travel plans of West Australians, particularly ahead of a scheduled meeting with the Fair Work Commission later (on Friday).” Network Aviation on Thursday launched 24-hour strike action against the national carrier after the airline put forward an intractable bargaining application to the FWC to negotiate a deal to end the long-running dispute, but AFAP said Qantas had “walked away from the table” and taken a number of items out of the agreement. Qantas had offered the pilots a 25 per cent pay increase, followed by a 3 per cent rise every year. The new deal also included better rostering protections, however the pilots in December voted it down — despite the union agreeing in principle to the deal. The pay spat dates back to September 2022 and three versions of a new agreement have been made and subsequently voted down. “(Qantas’) tone has always been, over the last few years and continues to be, very, very arrogant and it’s disrespectful to the pilot work group,” Mr Aikens said. Thursday’s strike forced the cancellation of 35 return flights across Qantas’ WA operations but it confirmed the bulk of regular and charter passengers were able to travel on the same day. The pilots said their list of demands were the same benefits offered to other pilots working for Qantas, with AFAP claiming it was only fair Network Aviation pilots were offered the same entitlements given they fly the same planes. Due to the nature of charter work, a Network Aviation pilot flies fewer hours compared to a pilot in Qantas’ domestic operation.