QPC Briefing No 14 2025
Changes to the Short Haul Implementation Schedule
The company has recently made changes to the implementation schedule for key Short Haul Enterprise Agreement provisions, including the introduction of paid reserve and the 4-hour credit for AV Days and BL Callouts. These changes have resulted in a three-week delay to agreed commencement dates.
The company claims the decision was made to better align with bid periods. However, the lack of communication with pilots and the total absence of consultation with the AFAP, which represents a large proportion of Short Haul pilots, undermines the integrity of that justification.
These provisions were negotiated in good faith, and delays in their implementation impact on pilots' expected earnings.
The AFAP is currently reviewing both the financial implications and the process by which these changes were made. We will continue to advocate for timely implementation of agreed terms and will keep members informed as further information becomes available.
Health and Safety Representative Elections?
In just three days, the terms of office for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) in several Pilot work groups are set to expire. Despite this, Qantas has yet to issue a call for nominations, a failure that constitutes more than administrative neglect. It may breach legal obligations under the relevant Work Health and Safety legislation.
HSRs play a vital role in protecting pilots, crew and our passengers. Their absence risks weakening our collective ability to address workplace health and safety concerns, particularly concerning in light of recent aerobridge malfunctions and multiple fume events across the network.
The AFAP will be raising this matter urgently with the company and regulators to ensure safety standards and legal obligations are upheld.
Long Haul EA Update
The AFAP Long Haul team has now received the Company’s latest pay modelling and is conducting a detailed analysis of how our proposals integrate with Qantas’ preferred pay structure.
We are scheduling our next meeting with the Company next week. While we believe that an overall agreement is within reach, the issues currently on the table are not insignificant. It remains to be seen how readily they can be resolved.
Importantly, the AFAP has presented Qantas with a clear and workable pathway to agreement, one that meets pilot expectations for a sustainable Enterprise Agreement. Our position balances the need to safeguard pilot health and wellbeing with the delivery of fair and meaningful pay increases that reflect cost of living pressures and broader inflationary trends.
Questions and Feedback
For further information regarding LH bargaining or if you have any questions or feedback please contact your AFAP Qantas Pilot Council at
qpc@afap.org.au, or the AFAP legal and industrial team of Senior Legal/ Industrial Officer Pat Larkins (
patrick@afap.org.au), Senior Industrial Officer Deanna Cain (
deanna@afap.org.au) or Executive Director Simon Lutton (
simon@afap.org.au).
Regards,
AFAP Qantas Pilot Council
Michael Egan – Chair
Mark Gilmour – Vice-Chair
Rob Close – Secretary
Michael Armessen – Committee Member
David LaPorte – Committee Member
Josh Chalmers – Committee Member