AFAP - Qld Bargaining Update (Alliance/Bravo)
Bargaining Update
As you (and other AFAP members) know, the current demand for Pilots remains very high!
Faced with that situation, all operators in the industry are having to reconsider their views about the terms & conditions that they are offering their Pilots.
For example, at NJE a new enterprise agreement (EA) was approved by the FWC last week (see link below). It became legally operative yesterday.
NJE EA
In that EA, the base salaries for E-Jet Pilots are:
- Captain - $210 k
- FO - $120 k (1st year), $126 k (2nd year), $137 k (5th year).
At Network Aviation, as another example, an ‘in-principle’ agreement has just been reached in their EA bargaining. The Company agreed to significantly increase the proposed salary rates of their F100 & E190 Pilots by over 13%. With the additional FIFO allowance of $7500 (Captains) and $4875 (FOs), the approximate proposed rates will be:
- Captain - $206 k (1st year), $212 k (3rd year), $218 (5th year), $223 k (7th year)
- FO - $134 k (1st year), $138 k (3rd year), $142 k (5th year)
A third example is at Virgin, in the current 737 negotiations. On 9 November 2023, the Company made a new offer to Pilots, that included a salary increase of just over 29%:
- Captain - $270 k
- FO - $175 k
Of course, all members will understand that in each of those negotiations, there are more than just salary rates being negotiated. A wide range of other conditions and entitlements are also subject to the negotiations. Some will be new, and some will be alterations to what already exists. In some areas, it may actually involve a reduction in some existing provisions. That said, in each example listed, the overall 'package' of conditions, when weighed up, are significant improvements on the Pilots’ existing conditions.
So, where does that leave you (and your colleagues) at Alliance & Bravo?
A long way behind, it seems.
You only have to look at the sub-standard EA that Alliance & Bravo management released in mid-October. Or the comments from management so far in the negotiations that there will be no base salary increases in these negotiations.
So, what next?
The AFAP is encouraging every member to start getting more involved in the current EA negotiations. There are a few simple steps that members can take immediately.
Firstly, it would be helpful if all members read the NJE EA (attached). With that EA now in operation, and given that it covers Pilots flying E-Jets, it sets some form of benchmark for other E-Jet fleets (and other 100 seat airframes).
It will be important for you & every other AFAP member to gauge the differences between what Alliance & Bravo have offered, & what NJE Pilots are now entitled to.
Secondly, it is crucial that you make the effort to talk to other Pilots about the recent developments in the industry. Those types of discussions will assist you and every other Pilot become more aware of what the majority of Pilots want from the current negotiations. Without that overall consensus on the desired pay and conditions, and a preparedness of all Pilots to push hard for those improvements, it is unlikely that you will get a significantly better offer from Alliance and Bravo.
Finally, Alliance and Bravo management may soon decide "to test the water", by putting a draft EA out to vote. Of course, they will take the opportunity to make some adjustments to their pay offer and a number of conditions before they do. Obviously, they will try to make their October EA document look more attractive to you and your colleagues. They will be hopeful of potentially getting some Pilots ‘over the line’ in support of the EA. Remember though, if the Companies do try to put a draft EA out to a vote, all AFAP members need to stick together, and encourage colleagues to do the same. It only needs 50% + 1 of the pilots who actually bother to vote (in a ballot), to determine the outcome. It is not 50% + 1 of the entire Pilot group!
A further negotiation meeting with Alliance and Bravo management is scheduled for this Thursday afternoon (30/11). The AFAP is keen to see what the Companies have to say, and what they offer at that point. Watch out for the next Update.
Finally, the AFAP wants to thank all members who participated in the recent videoconferences, that were conducted to discuss the current situation in bargaining. Following on from those meetings, the AFAP is still keen to hear from at least one further F100 Pilot & one E190 Pilot who want to join our bargaining team.
If your interested, or have any questions in relation to this Update, please contact AFAP Senior Industrial Officer James Mattner by email (james@afap.org.au) or by phone (0477 001 817).