Further to our last brief the AFAP pilot Council can advise that there have been some welcome developments within the last 24 hours.
The AFAP legal team had sought clarifications around issues such as the payment of superannuation on the backpay and the makeup of what constituted salary for the computation of backpay. In addition representations had been made by the Chair of the Council to senior management regarding the ongoing negativity arising from the recent determination.
Prior to the deadline for confirming with the FWC any final comments regarding typographical issues and those clarifications around backpay, discussions were held with senior management who confirmed that to avoid further deliberations within the FWC that they were willing to undertake the following:
- Airbus allowance would not be included as part of salary in the computation for backpay (meaning that the difference between the new arbitrated rates of pay and the old ‘salary’ were greater), and therefore the amount of backpay for the year would also greater.
- In addition for reasons of equity, the company confirmed that resultant % increase in backpay that would be paid to pilots on the Airbus fleet would also be paid to pilots on the Fokker fleet.
- As an example the backpay for an Airbus Captain (3yr increment) will increase from just over $15k to just over $35k, while a 5yr Fokker FO’s backpay would increase from just under $9k to just over $18k. With the confirmation that the super will be paid on the back payments, the improvements in this arbitrated outcome are of course some welcome news.
The FWC has been advised of the position from the company and all the unions and it is expected that the implementation of the Arbitrated Decision will be imminently confirmed by the FWC and the resultant Determination will be applied very soon after.
The Council continues to thank the pilots who have clearly explained their frustrations which enabled these last minute improvements to be obtained as part of this process.
As previously reported a member meeting for all network pilots will be taking place and it seems the feedback is that the evening of Sunday 31st August would be the preferred date. Further information will be forthcoming once a venue has been finalised.
In unity,
AFAP Network Aviation Pilot Council
Stephen Maughan: smaughan@iinet.net.au
Ben Walmsley: ben.walms@gmail.com
Joshua Sheldon: Josh.b.sheldon@gmail.com
Sasha Leavy: sasha_leavy@hotmail.com
Matt Atkinson: matkinson209@gmail.com
Eman Zimmerman: mano01@hotmail.com
Mark Levitt: ml.network.pilotcouncil@outlook.com
Geoffrey Aro: flyingaro@gmail.com
In addition, the AFAP Senior Industrial Officer Chris Aikens is contactable on chris@afap.org.au. The AFAP Member Assistance Program (MAP) can be contacted via Freecall 1300 307 912. The AFAP website also advises of other welfare services at https://www.afap.org.au/membership/member-articles/welfare-services