The AFAP (represented by pilot representative Paul Alexander and Senior Legal/ Industrial Officer Pat Larkins) have over the past weeks participated in the drafting of the final document with VARA, SALPA and TWU representatives. We appreciate your patience while this process was completed. The drafting has been complex due to the need to incorporate B737 conditions that mirror those from the Virgin Narrow Body operation.
Aligning the VARA and VAA B737 terms and conditions has been a challenging process given the Virgin Narrow Body pilots current operate to a transitional EA appendix with clauses from both the 2018 and 2021 EAs in operation. In addition, throughout the life of the EA, Virgin has implemented a number of conditions outside of bargaining (such as rostered credit protection).
As pilots will be aware, after the document was finalised by the parties it was released last week for the consideration of the pilot group before voting opens tomorrow.
Voting Process
The ballot for the proposed Virgin Australia Regional Airlines Pilots Enterprise Agreement 2022 opens tomorrow Saturday, 16 December 2023 at 0900 AWST and will close at 1200 AWST on Thursday, 21 December.
The voting process will be independently facilitated by an external provider called CorpVote. You should have received both an email and an SMS from CorpVote providing instructions about how to vote.
If you have not received any information from CorpVote, or are experiencing difficulties in lodging your vote, please contact CorpVote on their Voter Support number 1300 710 950 or email support@corpvote.com.au before the close of the voting period.
AFAP Recommend Pilots Vote Yes
The AFAP after careful consideration of the benefits on offer weighed against the risks in a no vote recommend that members vote yes to the proposed VARA EA.
The AFAP recognises that elements of the deal may fall short of pilot expectations. However, we are in a unique situation where this is a short term EA (expiry date of June 30, 2024) and pilots can bank the gains in this agreement before the parties will be back negotiating early next year.
By voting yes pilots will have the certainty of locking in the improvements in the agreement including:
- 04% increase to salaries from the Commencement Date of the EA;
- Salary back paid from the Commencement Date to the effective date of increase (3% backdated to 1 July 2022 and a further 3.92% to 1 July 2023);
- 68% increase to the hourly rate;
- Reduction in the overtime threshold to 57.5 per 28 days;
- 5% retention bonus (using the base salaries as at 1 July 2022);
- Outside Buffer Rate (payments for extending more than 2 hours past original sign-off), increased to the new Productivity Rate
- New RDO payment structure - RDO Payment + minimum four hours at Productivity Rate (or greater if actual hours exceed 4)
- Additional allowance for Check & Training pilots paid in addition to the annual allowance (Check Captains - $150 per training event, Training Captains - $50 per training event)
- Work rules - all existing protections retained
For the B737 pilots employed at VARA they will be provided salaries in line with those at Virgin Narrow Body including any negotiated increases in that operation. First Officers will be paid VA Narrow Body rates from 1 September 2023 or their original planned transition date (whichever is earlier) and Captains as per FOs except date is 1 March 2024.
In addition the following benefits apply for VARA B737 pilots:
- Grandfather the VARA EA enhanced redundancy entitlement for B737 VARA Pilots until 5 April 2026.
- Pilots will maintain their existing LSL balance (based on 1.3 weeks per year of service) on transfer to the B737. Any future LSL accrual based on VA NB Agreement provisions.
Overall, the package is significantly better than the current Agreement based on all of the gains we have achieved. By voting yes pilots lock in the certainty of the new salary and conditions as the starting point for negotiations next year. In contrast, the consequences of rejecting this offer are far from certain.
Be Informed Prior to Voting
The AFAP respect that the decision on whether to approve the agreement rests with the pilot group. We encourage all pilots to have a say over your working conditions by participating in the upcoming vote. Under the Fair Work Act for an agreement to be approved it requires support from a majority of those Pilots who vote. Pilots who don’t vote don’t count.
Before voting, ensure you have read the agreement and materials provided by VARA and if you require clarification you can contact the AFAP on the details below.
Risks of a No vote
At the end of the day it is your decision how you vote, but we ask that you consider that the consequences of a no vote are uncertain. There is no requirement for the Company to improve the offer or indeed keep the current offer on the table. Essentially everything we have negotiated is up for grabs.
We ask that after considering the above information, document and supporting material you make a balanced and informed decision.
Network Negotiations
As VARA Pilots will be aware Network pilots have voted down their proposed agreement (there was a 54% no vote from a 96% participation rate). The AFAP Network representatives have proposed meeting with Qantas representatives this week to use a short window of time to see if progress can be made to resolve the current situation.
Network has been advised that unless this brief window is used positively and quickly the only other industrial options open to pilots will be the recommencement of industrial action.
AFAP pilot representative Paul Alexander is on hand if you have any questions regarding the above. Alternatively, you can contact AFAP Senior industrial/ Legal Officer Pat Larkins by email at patrick@afap.org.au or by calling (03) 9928 5737.
Regards,
AFAP VARA Negotiating Team
Paul Alexander
Pat Larkins – Senior Legal/ Industrial Officer
Simon Lutton – Executive Director