RE CAE Flight Instructors: AFAP CAE Survey & Member Update
The AFAP met with CAE management on Wednesday 24 April 2024 to talk about current matters impacting the pilot group, such as training bonds and training.
AFAP Present Solutions to Training Issues
The AFAP remains concerned that CAE are focused on training bonds as a solution to retention of pilots. The AFAP acknowledge the concerns of the pilot group that the longer CAE is not progressing training opportunities across the pilot group and focusing on the mutual benefits that it delivers. Ideally, with ongoing engagement with CAE appropriate solutions can be reached, with the intended outcome a strong culture focus on all pilot training (including flight instructors) for mutual benefit of CAE and the pilot group.
The AFAP discussed options with CAE leadership on potential way(s) forward, such as to create an alternate set of rules/conditions such as an Enterprise Agreement (EA) which can be focused on training opportunities also. An EA can only be formed through the process in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
This process to establish an EA, enterprise bargaining would need to still consider pilots are “better off overall test” (or BOOT) compared to the minimum conditions of the Air Pilots Award 2020. Currently the pilots’ conditions are derived from your common law contracts and the Award’s safety net conditions. Your feedback to the AFAP about your current conditions will be of assistance to resolve this matter.
Fair Work Dispute – Training Bonds
CAE view remains unshifted in their view training bonds can be applied to flight instructors for a broad range of training. CAE have informed the AFAP they intend to raise a dispute with the Fair Work Commission, a process that leads to conciliation meetings (the AFAP will keep members updated along the way). The AFAP welcomes these steps to assist to shift CAE focusing on this matter rather than solutions and broader need for retention strategies (including training and career development of the pilot group).
AFAP Members to Assist with Next Steps
Thank you to all pilots that attended the AFAP meeting last week. The call to action from the meeting includes a pilot survey to assist work on resolutions. The AFAP members supported the idea to share the AFAP CAE Pilots survey to all pilots for broader feedback (see QR code below – send it around via printed copies or electronic copies).
AFAP CAE Pilot Survey – Flight Instructor Employment Conditions
Survey time: 6 – 10 minutes (see notes below ‘Preparing for Survey’).
https://afap.questionpro.com/Instructors
Preparing For Survey:
The survey asks details about your employment conditions. It may be helpful to find a quiet time to do this survey, it may not be needed but may assist if you have access to your employment info (contract, pay details, pay slips, rosters, duty hours, and other details) as you work though the questions. There are some general queries on the frequency of night operations (2300 to 0400) and travel time (sign on/off between 0700 – 1700) which may only be relevant to some pilots overall remuneration, and allowances incorporated into your salary.
Any survey results will be de-identified and individual responses to remain confidential, however as a group we can get a picture of all pilot conditions. If a pilot doesn't provide their name (optional), and queries arise the AFAP unfortunately will not be able to follow up to assist that individual.
Please circulate survey details, and the aim to complete as soon as possible - the higher participation the better the data.
Pilot Tasks, all members are welcome to email across your details of employment contract(s), including any contract variations, and examples of training bonds to the AFAP (if not done so already).
If you require assistance or have any queries, please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance to AFAP via email to Industrial Officer, Jason Newell at
Jason@afap.org.au.
Yours Sincerely,
The AFAP Industrial Team