In the aftermath of the threat posed by ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln last week, the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) has locked in a further 24-hour stoppage to be taken on 4 March 2024.
The latest addition to the protected industrial action from pilots operating within Qantas’ (ASX:QAN) wholly owned subsidiary Network Aviation has been scheduled as part of an ongoing battle to reignite stalled wage negotiations.
More than 230 pilots (of a total 250) employed by Network Aviation are members of the AFAP and are eligible to take this industrial action approved by the Fair Work Commission.
The upcoming 24-hour stoppage comes amid 3 consecutive 24-hour stop work orders which began yesterday (28 February 2024) through to 1 March 2024.
Qantas is currently offering flexibility to its customers who have booked flights between Perth and various regional cities on or prior to 26 February for travel yesterday through to 1 March, and from 28 February through to 4 March.
The airline major says customers travelling to Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha, Learmonth, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Newman, Darwin, and Adelaide airports are eligible for a fee-free refund, travel credit, or date change.
As reported by Mining.com.au earlier this week, more than half of the 250-strong pilot workforce indicated at a recent meeting they may soon leave to fly for other airlines which provide far better pay and conditions.
The AFAP represents more than 90% of the commercial pilots employed by Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation to fly both passenger transport (QantasLink), and fly in, fly out (FIFO) and private charter aircraft (Network Aviation) in Western Australia.
The pilot group is negotiating a new enterprise agreement to replace the Network Aviation Pilots Enterprise Agreement 2016 that expired on 31 October 2020.
With more than 5,500 members, the AFAP is the professional association and industrial organisation for commercial pilots in Australia flying domestically and internationally.
Write to Adam Drought at Mining.com.au
Images: AFAP
