Alliance Group - Starting to Listening?
(Perhaps ??)
In the AFAP's Update last Thursday (31/10), it was stressed that there was a clear need for the Alliance Group to urgently re-consider its position in the current bargaining process for the three separate Pilot enterprise agreements (EA), in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
The 96% 'No' vote for the woeful Queensland EA had clearly shown that.
Unfortunately, the AFAP (and TWU) had subsequently seen very little 'appetite' from the Alliance Group to change their attitude, during the ensuing EA negotiations in Adelaide on 21/10, or in Perth on 23/10.
Regardless, we committed to providing a further Update to you and every other Alliance Group member, once the EA bargaining meeting scheduled for Brisbane last Friday (1/11), was conducted.
Brisbane EA Meeting
On 29 October, in the lead-up to the EA meeting, the AFAP (jointly with the TWU) provided Alliance Group management an update, based on feedback from the Queensland Pilot group, of the substantive claims that resulted in the proposed Queensland EA being soundly rejected in the 17/10 ballot.
Representatives from the AFAP (and TWU), along with two Pilot Representatives, subsequently participated in the EA negotiation meeting.
At the outset, Alliance Group management acknowledged that given the size of the 'No' vote, that they were "open" to discuss moving from their previously held position, on several substantive issues. They also confirmed that the feedback they had received directly from QLD pilots was along similar lines to what was contained in our 29/10 letter.
They, however, also expressed a view that the totality of the updated position outlined in our 29/10 letter was not sustainable for the business. Yet, in a change of position from previous bargaining meetings, they then said that they were 'open' to looking at various options that could address at least some of the concerns of Queensland based Pilots, provided that they were sustainable for the Alliance Group.
The meeting subsequently involved a relatively brief discussion around several key areas:
- Consideration of a tiered salary structure - based on years of service or experience. Importantly, the Alliance Group's proposal would seem to necessitate some salary tiers being set at rates that are below those your Pilot representatives have been seeking on your behalf in the current negotiations;
- Duty Extension Allowance – subject to agreement on application and wording;
- Remuneration for Training and Checking Pilots - structure to be reset to ensure overall package increases in line with other Pilots;
- Firm RDO buffers for weekends free of duty;
- Number of RDOs to remain at 8 per roster period - Alliance Group raised concerns that more RDOs could reduce the amount of 'productivity' earnt by pilots;
- RDO payment – different method of payment - would reintroduce the provision of a SDO where a Pilot works on a RDO;
- Grey Days – would be attached to RDOs, giving 3 out of 4 weeks with complete buffer protection with fixed GD buffers leaving only one week per RP that Ops can reduce the RDO buffer;
- Standby Duties - agreeable to 12 hours rest between Standby duties;
- Parental Leave – agreeable to further discussions re introducing paid Parental Leave, for Primary Carers;
- EA document - format of 2018 F100 EA to be adopted.
While the discussions in the meeting did suggest that Alliance Group management had spent time considering where it could 'move' in some areas, it is far too early to gauge whether they have fully taken into consideration the amount of improvements required (after the 96% 'No' vote).
Subsequent Development
After further consideration, following Friday's meeting, the AFAP and TWU jointly wrote to Alliance Group management late yesterday afternoon. In that letter, we requested that the Alliance Group immediately implement an on-going 'RPT Bonus' payment to all Bravo Pilots, mirroring the same payment that is included in the current Queensland F100 EA.
We believe that agreeing to that request would be a sign of 'good faith' by Alliance Group management. We have asked for their response by Thursday (7/11). We will update you once we have their answer.
Additional Queensland Pilot Reps Needed
Importantly, during each and every EA negotiation - regardless of the employer - the AFAP typically relies on several members to put up their hand and volunteer to join the AFAP's Bargaining Team.
Unfortunately, in drawn-out negotiation processes, it's not unusual for some of those AFAP members (who initially volunteered) to then need to subsequently 'drop out' of the bargaining team, for a wide range of reasons.
Critically, that is the situation the AFAP currently is in, in relation to the Queensland EA negotiations!
Clearly, it's not the easiest of jobs. However, the job needs to get done, for the benefit of all members.
As such, if you are interested, or would like to ask a few questions as to what the role entails, please contact AFAP Senior Industrial Officer James Mattner - email james@afap.org.au