Virgin Narrow Body EA Update No 18 - Delay to Commencement of Access Period
Pilots will have seen the email from the Chief Pilot last night advising of a delay to the final release of the document and access period which was due to commence today.
As previously advised, the formal access period under the Fair Work Act requires that a proposed EA and any material incorporated by reference in the Agreement be accessible for at least 7 days prior to the vote.
An access period can be delayed under the Fair Work Act. Pilots will still need to receive at least 7 days’ access to the final document prior to a vote.
Since reaching in principle agreement, the AFAP has continued to discuss the EA package with Company representatives on a daily basis. The AFAP has raised a number of proposals during the drafting process to enhance the package and continued throughout this week.
The AFAP has welcomed the opportunity for pilots to have the document prior to the formal access period.
The feedback received directly from members since the document release has reinforced the issues raised by the AFAP during drafting of the document.
In this instance the access period has been delayed at the request of the AFAP. Virgin has accommodated this request to allow the parties to consider our suggested changes to the final document.
The AFAP and Virgin have engaged in further discussions today and we will update members once we have an outcome from these discussions.
Thank you for your patience as we work towards finalising an EA that secures the best outcome for our members.
As always members should contact the elected representatives directly, or alternatively post on the AFAP Forum (
https://afapvpf.discussioncommunity.com) or email
virginNBEBA@afap.org.au should you have any questions or feedback regarding EA negotiations.
Alternatively, email general industrial queries to
virginAIC@afap.org.au, Safety and Technical matters to
technical@afap.org.au, and HOTAC issues/ reports to HOTAC@afap.org.au.
Regards,
AFAP 2024 EA Negotiating Team
First Officer Steve Hungerford – Chair
First Officer Shaun Rudduck – Vice-Chair
Captain Ben Raby
Captain Brad Wilson
Captain Mark Bannister
Pat Larkins – AFAP Senior Industrial/ Legal Officer
Deanna Cain – AFAP Senior Industrial/ Legal Officer