The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) and the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) have filed Protected Action Ballots at Express Freighters Australia for commercial pilots who perform air freight work, after an offer from the company that would put these pilots at the bottom of the industry.
After six months of negotiation Qantas has refused to improve an offer that in some cases would see pilots paid less than if they were employed under the Air Pilots Award 2020 and would entrench poor work-life balance.
A successful Protected Action Ballot Order would give more than 100 pilots the right to take industrial action.
The TWU and AFAP are calling for industry standard pay increases, as well as improvements to roster protections and days off to improve work-life balance.
TWU National Assistant Secretary Emily McMillan said:
"This bottom-of-the-industry offer to pilots is an insult off the back of record profits at Qantas.
"Last week Qantas was in the Federal Court saying it had changed its appalling attitude towards its workforce, but we're still seeing no signs of it.
"It's time for Qantas to come to the bargaining table with a fair offer that reflects the industry standard and improves work-life balance for pilots under significant pressure. If Qantas are serious about staff retention, in particular pilot retention, that starts with respect and fair pay and conditions for their workforce.
"We cannot trust airlines like Qantas to act in the interests of workers or the travelling public. Ultimately we need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of all parties-not just highly-paid executives."
AFAP Executive Director Simon Lutton said:
"Overall, it seems to us that, despite recent rhetoric to the contrary, Qantas has not changed its industrial relations approach at all.
This is the same unnecessarily combative approach as was taken in the last round of negotiations when EFA/Qantas forced through a sub-standard agreement under the threat of taking away back-pay.
We requested enterprise bargaining commence in June 2024 when it became apparent that the salaries provided under the current EFA EA were about to fall below the Award salary. EFA management refused this request and bargaining finally commenced in January 2025.
To say we were extremely disappointed with the proposal that the company finally put to the pilots on 14 May is an enormous understatement.
EFA pilots are sending the company a clear and unequivocal message that its offer is simply nowhere near good enough and they are prepared to fight for more."
Background:
The AFAP and the TWU have lodged a 'Form F34 - Application for a protected action ballot order' with the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
Conducting a protected industrial action ballot is a lawful step in support of reaching an agreement. Within the next week or so we will be required to provide the balloting agent (an approved independent company) with a list of members at EFA. Only relevant union members will be entitled to vote in this ballot.
Express Freighters Australia is a cargo airline that is wholly owned by Qantas Freight, a subsidiary of Qantas.
