RE CAE Flight Instructors: AFAP Member Update
Flight Instructor Conditions
The AFAP thank members for the feedback and assistance in completing the AFAP CAE Pilot Survey – Flight Instructor Employment Conditions. Additional information that members provided, including contracts and pay slips assisted in this review.
There are some CAE pilots undertaking regular night operations and shifts commencing or finishing outside of the hours 7AM-7PM attracting regular transport allowance. Based on some calculations this may have absorbed ‘all’ or close to all the above Award payment. However as this was only calculated using a snapshot over a month to look at averages, it may be a good exercise for some members who attract more allowances to review in more detail (i.e. a 12 month period).
The assessment of the survey results has been a good exercise. At the moment we are holding off providing a report on the industry comparisons with other flight schools, due to timing of the award increase many flight schools are updating their pay rates to be implemented in July.
As per AFAP updates, the Fair Work Commission is awarding 3.75% increase to the Air Pilots Award 2020 (other increases such as allowance and loss of licence will be indexed separately), this is applied from the first full pay period in July 2024.
Members may also seek to confirm when CAE will be passing on these increases to the pilot group to keep up with the Award rates, and please update the AFAP with confirmation of your new rates (when known).
Training
The AFAP have been informed CAE are recommencing training, that is good news as CAE halted implementation of their own policies in supporting the training of employees. However also CAE has decided to continue with the training bonds, which we provide members further guidance on below.
The AFAP note that if pilots enter into a training bond, and that training bond does not meet the criteria in the award clause 13.6 (b) you should seek assistance (in case issues arises such as a bond repayment is being pursued by the employer).
For example, a training bond for an instrument rating, that in view of the AFAP is neither a
- class and type rating or
- upgrade training (change in rank and status training)
In the case that CAE claim a bond payment is due from a pilot it should always be assessed on a case by case basis, look at the training, the award criteria and whether it should be applied.
The AFAP will provide assistance to members.
Retention Strategies & Options Moving Forward
The AFAP has promoted sustainability and certainty for the pilot group, and seek that CAE look to establish genuine retention strategies (training bonds are not supported as having much impact on pilot movement for a variety of reasons).
From the survey we have feedback and details from the pilot group on your objectives and this information may be a good opportunity to work on options moving forward.
The pilot group have some power in numbers under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to establish the commencement of enterprise bargaining should the employer not agree to commence this process.
The AFAP will schedule a members meeting to catch up in the next week (via MS teams link), as a good opportunity to discuss remuneration, training, your survey results, and what different options look like moving forward.
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