The AFAP Negotiating Team met with Jetstar representatives last week for one and a half days of intensive enterprise bargaining discussions.
Representing the AFAP were pilot representatives Chris Gibson, Dom Corcoran, Daniel Blakemore, Ben Bollen, Paul Hogan and Jake Gainger, supported by Senior Industrial/Legal staff Deanna Cain, Patrick Larkins and Andrew Molnar. Ed Nell, TWU Industrial Officer, joined via Teams.
Jetstar was represented by Tyrone Simes (Chief Pilot and Head of Flying Operations), Michael Porch (Senior Manager Flying Operations), Leah Everton (Senior Manager Operational Insights & Strategy), Tim Faulkner (Employee Relations Manager - Flying Operations) and Vera Gorgievski (National Operations Advisor).
Progress on Key AFAP Proposals
It was pleasing to see that Jetstar had used the three-week gap between meetings to meaningfully consider and engage with several key AFAP proposals, including Roster Credit Protection (RCP), Open Time, and Lifestyle Purchase/Part-Time (LSP) arrangements.
Please refer to our previous update here for a detailed overview of these proposals.
At this week’s meeting, Jetstar provided detailed feedback that was overwhelmingly positive. Encouragingly, the Company indicated a willingness to work within the AFAP’s proposed framework and adopt key elements of the RCP, LSP/part-time, and Open Time models.
While further work is required and the final details remain subject to negotiation, the progress to date has been significant. We remain confident that these provisions will form part of the final package, and we’ll continue to update members as the finer points are resolved.
Enhanced credit system
Jetstar provided initial costings in response to the AFAP's proposed enhancements to the credit system.
The AFAP’s proposal seeks to apply credits to duties and days that currently attract no credit value on a pilot’s roster, while also enhancing some existing credit values to better reflect workload and ensure credits are applied consistently and logically against the EFA threshold.
The proposed credit structure includes the following:
Note: the proposed credit value of 3.86 hours is derived from dividing the monthly EFA threshold of 75 hours by average work days per roster ((365–132)/12 =19.4). Therefore, the calculation is 75/19.4 = 3.86 hours.
Jetstar has indicated that it is not opposed to enhancements to the current credit system and recognises that that credits for standby and available days are a critical component of RCP. However, Jetstar has also advised it will not cost or support the inclusion of any personal leave credits under the enhanced system.
During the most recent bargaining meeting, the AFAP questioned some of the assumptions underpinning Jetstar’s costing. Jetstar has committed to providing additional supporting data at the next meeting.
The enhanced credit system forms part of the broader remuneration package being pursued by the AFAP, and its final shape will ultimately depend on agreement around other remuneration components.
Increased Days Off (DDOs) and Enhances DDO Protections
Jetstar has provided costings in response to the AFAP’s claim for increased Designated Days Off (DDOs) to bring Jetstar pilots into alignment with Virgin.
Currently, factoring in six weeks of annual leave, Virgin pilots receive a total of 174 days off per year, while Jetstar pilots receive 162. To close this gap, Jetstar has costed an increase to 144 DDOs annually (up from the current 132), which would result in parity in total days off when combined with annual leave.
Jetstar has not opposed the AFAP’s claim for increased DDOs in principle. However, the Company’s position is that this additional cost would need to be offset by corresponding productivity gains elsewhere in the agreement.
There is still further modelling and data to be provided around our claim for enhanced DDO protections, namely:
- No reduction in time free of duty around days off (delete RP 6.3)
- Standby following DDO(s) – no call prior to 0500LT
- No sign on before 0800 LT following a STR day
- Minimum of 1 weekend off per month (notwithstanding clause 46.7)
Jetstar has agreed to our claim relating to the ability for pilots to bid for 3 consecutive star days in a Roster period, however was still considering if this should be in the EA of Star day/ JBid manual.
AFAP Remuneration Claim
While, for strategic reasons, the AFAP has not yet tabled a base salary claim, we have now presented Jetstar with the other key elements of the remuneration package we intend to pursue during bargaining. This allows Jetstar to begin their costing and analysis.
In addition to our enhanced credit system and Roster Credit Protection (RCP) proposal, the AFAP’s remuneration-related claims include:
- Duty RIG: Credit based on 60% of the time a pilot spends on duty in each FDP (e.g., If assigned a 12 hour duty this will mean the pilot will be credited a minimum of 7.2 Block credit hours).
- 100% Highline allowance: From sign-on to sign-off at home base (i.e., increase layover highline to 100%).
- Overnight Meal and Incidental Allowances (ODTA): In line with ATO Determination Table 3 Domestic or Table 8 Internationally (TD2025/4), which is the highest salary band, for all Narrow Body pilots.
- Wide Body Meal Allowances: Based on ATO Determination Table 3 Domestic or Table 8 Internationally (TD2025/4), which is the highest salary band, for all Wide Body pilots.
- Removal of the Mercer Index for international operations: applying the destination countries cost group across the Wide and Narrow body allowances above.
- Daily Travel Allowance (DTA): Based on ATO Determination Table 3 (TD2025/4), using the highest salary band, for Narrow Body Pilots.
- Senior Training Captain (STC): 10%.
- TRE (Accreditors): 22%.
- Annual Increases to Other Allowances (e.g., LOL, uniform, hard lying): 3% per annum or in line with increases to the Air Pilots Award, whichever is higher.
- Cancelled Accommodation Allowance: Increased to $183.
- Reimbursement for Unscheduled Overnights: Up to $200 for reasonable expenses, subject to provision of receipts.
Jetstar did not express any surprise regarding these items, many of which are already embedded in the remuneration structures at Qantas and Virgin.
Upcoming Meeting
Our next bargaining meeting with Jetstar is scheduled for the week commencing 4th August.
We will continue to keep members updated as progress is made.
If you have any questions, your pilot representatives and AFAP industrial officers Deanna Cain, Pat Larkins or Andrew Molnar are available to assist via email jetstar@afap.org.au or call (03) 9928 5737.
Regards,
AFAP Jetstar Negotiating Team
Chris Gibson, Dominic Corcoran, Daniel Blakemore, Ben Bollen, Jake Gainger and Paul Hogan