QPC Briefing No. 26 2026
EA11 Negotiations Update
The AFAP met with Qantas this week for a further EA bargaining meeting as discussions continue following the rejection of the proposed agreement by pilots.
Since the vote, the AFAP has undertaken extensive work to analyse the survey results, review the thousands of individual comments received from pilots, and develop detailed practical solutions to address the key concerns identified by the pilot group.
As a result, discussions with Qantas have now moved beyond identifying issues and into examining potential pathways to an agreement. During this week's meeting, we presented detailed concepts and proposals derived directly from pilot feedback and outlined how we believe these could contribute to securing pilot support for a future agreement. As previously discussed, central to the approach is meaningful short-term blank line improvement alongside structured long-term reform.
The AFAP has also proposed reducing or removing the number of concessions and modifying aspects of the proposed remuneration structure. One of the strongest themes emerging from the survey results was the desire to simplify the proposal and reduce the overall scope of change. Pilots consistently indicated that the volume and complexity of proposed changes and their value proposition, contributed to concerns regarding the agreement.
Qantas is now reviewing the solutions raised by the AFAP and considering the amendments we presented during the meeting. Several additional concepts were also discussed in the room, and the AFAP is currently undertaking further modelling and analysis of those potential changes ahead of future discussions.
Qantas also outlined its priorities and indicated a willingness to continue pursuing a negotiated outcome. While discussions remain ongoing, it is clear to all parties that significant changes to the rejected proposal will be required if pilot support is to be secured.
The meeting also included further discussion regarding blank line reform. Importantly, Qantas acknowledged that a short and long term approach to blank line reform is necessary if pilot support is to be achieved. Qantas discussed a range of short-term measures for blank line reform for our consideration, and the AFAP will review these leading into our meeting next week.
The AFAP remains focused on ensuring that pilot feedback is translated into tangible bargaining outcomes and we will continue to advocate for the priorities identified by pilots throughout the survey process.
Negotiations are continuing on a weekly basis, with the next bargaining meeting scheduled for 17 June. We will continue to keep members informed as discussions progress.
In a positive news, the AFAP and AIPA will meet following our next meeting with Qantas to discuss collaborating on blank line reform in a joint union working group. We see this as an important step and we will engage openly with AIPA next week to align positions on this important issue wherever possible.
Questions and Feedback
If you have any questions or further feedback, please contact your AFAP Qantas Pilot Council representatives at
qpc@afap.org.au, or the AFAP Legal and Industrial team:
Executive Director Simon Lutton –
simon@afap.org.au
Senior Legal/Industrial Officer Patrick Larkins –
patrick@afap.org.au
Senior Legal/Industrial Officer Deanna Cain –
deanna@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
Rob Gilmour – Committee Member