Ballot Result
As you would be aware, the ballot for the proposed Express Freighters Australia (Operations) Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2025 closed yesterday (Sunday 21 December 2025) with a valid number of eligible EFA pilots voting in favour of the agreement.
The exact numbers are:
- 124 EFA pilots eligible to vote;
- 117 actually voted;
- 61 “Yes” votes;
- 56 “No” votes;
- 0 invalid votes.
This means that the percentage of “Yes” votes was 52.14% and the agreement is now deemed to have been made.
As we stated in the last all pilot meeting, we will respect the majority decision. We will also do whatever we can to continue to clarify and improve the conditions of EFA pilots via the pilot council and roster protocol mechanisms.
Next Steps
The company and unions will now work quickly to lodge the agreement and required forms with the Fair Work Commission before Christmas.
We expect that the FWC will approve the agreement very early in the new year. The agreement formally takes effect (comes into operation) 7 days after approval by the FWC.
Depending on exactly when the agreement is approved, there will also be a small amount of backpay to be calculated and paid early in the new year. The new salary structure is effective from 1 January 2026.
PIA must stop and Application to terminate previous agreement discontinued
Because a new agreement is deemed to have been made, all previously approved protected industrial action (PIA) must now stop. We will also discontinue our application to the terminate the previous agreement.
Thank you
This has been a long and complex round of bargaining. While we know not everyone supported the final agreement, there are significant gains that will start to flow to EFA pilots in the new year, such as improved salaries, DHA and additional days off.
These benefits could not have been achieved without the strength and unity of EFA pilots. Thank you for the support you provided us and your union as we worked to achieve a better agreement for all EFA pilots.
If you have any questions on the above, please contact us directly or Simon Lutton at the AFAP on mobile: 0419 482 582 or email simon@afap.org.au.
In Unity
Susha Semenikow and Dean McMahon
AFAP EFA Pilot Representatives