AFAP Update - HOFO Response Nauru Air
Following up from the recent pilots update on 16 Oct 2023 Re AFAP Queries to HOFO - Nauru Airlines.
The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) agreed to a small extension from the Nauru Air HOFO regarding a response to matters raised, such as accommodations, award allowances, and duties over 11 hours.
The attached response from Nauru Airlines, Head of Flying Operations (HOFO) provided on Wed 25 Oct 2023.
Please review the HOFO feedback to the AFAP regarding our queries, and provide further feedback regarding these matters.
The AFAP note that the response has referred to as facilitative provisions (clause 7). As per clause 7.2, employees are able to nominate a representative, such as the AFAP.
Members can nominate the AFAP to confer with the employer further on any proposed changes to conditions, by emailing Jason@afap.org.au.
If you are not a full financial member of the AFAP visit our website AFAP, or contact our Admin team on admin@afap.org.au.
The Award facilitative provisions are not often utilised, generally as it include protections are that a majority of the pilot group require to agree to change in work hours/periods and also can not result in conditions less than the Award conditions – a proposal will need to be carefully considered by the pilot group and consider that it is applied in a fair manner to all pilots.
The Award states…
Facilitative provisions are not to be used as a device to avoid award obligations nor should they result in unfairness to an employee or employees covered by an award.
Based on the feedback, it is the intention that prior to a FRMS trial being approved for implementation that Nauru will seek some modifications by way of the facilitative provisions (noting once there is an FRMS in place, some sections of the Award, namely 15.4-15.8 are no longer applied).
This is an opportunity for the pilot group to organise around this issue and seek to get a mutual benefit agreement for the employer and pilot group.
We suggest a few matters therefore need to considered
- the offer (is it fair approach to me and others, what do I get, what don’t I get),
- the process to determine in favour (clearly communicated, considered and approached without coercion), and
- the implementation/application (time limited application, change in staff group, period to review etc).
The AFAP would be seeking to engage further with Nauru to ensure steps are taken in good faith.
The FRMS also suggests an opportunity for AFAP Safety and Technical team and AFAP members at Nauru to work together and utilise significant resources to benefit the pilot group.
Should you have any feedback, queries or additional matters you would like to raise please contact AFAP Industrial Officer, Jason Newell on Jason@afap.org.au.
Regards,
The AFAP Industrial Team