Your AFAP reps met this week with the company to further discuss the transition plan to the replacement 400 fleet.
The good news was that the company recognised that the proposals put forward by your AFAP reps were in essence the traditional way of handling assignments in accordance with the EA. The proposal will merely mean that the company will put out EOI’s to all pilots as and when assignments are to occur – which will partly dependent on aircraft deliveries and training schedules. Members will be free to apply or not as an when EOI’s are issued (although ultimately all pilots will of course have to move onto the new aircraft)
The company envisaged that each EOI would probably accommodate 10 captains and 10 FO’s and that the Melbourne base (for Eastern) would probably be the first recipient of the replacement 400’s.
This afternoon the company has confirmed that the Sunstate Council proposals are acceptable and summarised the position as follows:
- Equipment Assignment Vacancies advertised in tranches across the duration of the transition phase for base/rank needed ahead of respective training movements;
- Vacancies will be awarded in seniority order; and
- Normal bypass pay entitlements will apply where pilots having been awarded a vacancy are then trained out of seniority order. This may not apply where training is delayed due to self-imposed restrictions.
- The Co. envisage appointing sufficient trainers to the Q400 in each base in advance of the general advertising / vacancy process.
If you have any questions and concerns please do ensure you contact your AFAP representatives:
Jarrod Blaker, Anthony Berko, Russell Thompson, Richard Copland, Dan Lyons, Louise Pole, Bianca Salim and Thomas Dunphy.
In addition to your Council Committee member there is AFAP staff member Chris Aikens on chris@afap.org.au. The AFAP Member Assistance Program (MAP) can be contacted via Freecall 1300 307 912