CASA – AFAP Members Update
The AFAP provide an update regarding various matters concerning AFAP members conditions as per the CASA Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026 (the Agreement).
This Agreement, although not perfect was hard fought by many members to include undertakings by CASA to benefit the industrial interests of CASA employees in the technical aviation roles.
Joint Unions Letter to CEO
CASA Unions, including the AFAP, wrote to the CASA CEO on 17 June 2025 to seek improvement on consultation due to significant concerns in consultation. See copy of Joint Unions letter here.
The response provided to the Unions on 7 July 2025 has not gone along way and we do not agree matters are being resolved as per the correspondence. See copy of CEO Response to joint union letter here.
The AFAP will be discussing with other CASA Unions in order to best advance our members interests.
Flexible Working Arrangements Policy Changes
The AFAP has been informed that many employees have not been aware of your flexible working arrangements conditions to be changing, via a CASA consultation process for a new policy and directive.
The AFAP and other unions were informed that consultation period of minimum 2 weeks would have a hard close on 2 July 2025. The AFAP provided advance notice that we would respond on Thursday 4 July 2025. Initially CASA resisted any extensions, after feedback was provided and disputes raised CASA will consider the correspondence.
The AFAP and unions seek more than consideration of feedback, but are concerned about the scope of the Flexible Work Arrangements policy. We are of the vie the policy must be limited to policy of process and administration only. The policy must include the approach in the Agreement and the National Employment Standards (as minimum and agreed standards); it is able to be better off than the above. We are concerned the policy has moved out of scope.
A copy of the AFAP FWA correspondence dated 3 July 2025 can be found here.
The AFAP are awaiting a response from CASA on the above, more to come.
AFAP Correspondence to CEO on the CASA Agreement
The AFAP are concerned that CASA are attempting to avoid their obligations in the Agreement that were hard fought through industrial action by joint Unions, including by AFAP members.
This approach to the Agreement is now leading to various issues, disputes and inefficiencies.
A summary of the issues we hope to see progress on (in no particular order) include,
- CASA not advancing the Agreement undertaking for workforce planning methodology (Clause 77.1 of the Agreement) to be undertaken in collaboration with employees and unions (including meeting ICAO standards).
- CASA not advancing the undertaking and review of work level standards, including updates to the FO2 & FO3 levels (clause 77.2 of the Agreement).
- Providing all relative materials for consultation on position descriptions (including the previous position descriptions being rescinded).
- Reviewing the new/changed position description(s) against an outdated work level standard (required to be updated as the undertaking above).
- Poor consultation practices and limited communication regarding the proposed Flying Qualifications Training Manual and policies on the Flexible Work Arrangements.
A copy of the AFAP letter to CASA can be found here.
The AFAP are not asking CASA for anything new or exhaustive, considering CASA made undertakings in the Agreement in 2023. The Agreement come into force on 1 March 2024, and CASA knew it had 12 months to advance these matters. While consultation is not complex; it only requires commitment to engage (including relative information) and listen to others and make reasonable adjustments - this can be improved.
The AFAP will provide a further update on these matters pending updates and responses.
If you have any queries, feedback or concerns please contact AFAP Senior Industrial Officer, Jason Newell via email at Jason@afap.org.au.
Sincerely, AFAP Industrial Team.