AFAP Jetstar Update - May PCC Meeting and AFAP/Jetstar Meeting
Last Friday (24th May) the Pilot Consultative Committee (PCC) convened its quarterly meeting with Jetstar management at Head Office in Collingwood.
Attending on behalf of the pilot group were AFAP pilot representatives Chris Gibson, Dom Corcoran, Daniel Blakemore, Darren Fielder and Paul Hogan along with AIPA pilot representatives Harold Boyd and Nicholas Chetelat.
Attending on behalf of Jetstar was Tyrone Simes, Michael Porch, Leah Everton, Tim Faulkner, Alisha Lavea-Williams and Teyah Andrews.
The items that were raised and discussed at the PCC meeting are summarised below.
PCC Meeting
DIL Balance
The Current DIL balance is 1722. Pleasingly, this number has started to decrease since our last meeting where the DIL access process was agreed, with 58 days applied for and 38 allocated in May and 55 days applied for and 42 allocated in June.
We encourage pilots with a DIL balance to continue to bid for DILs as per the process below:
- Pilots with an existing DIL balance can review this and request DIL’s in JBid.
- Workforce Planning (WFP) will provide resourcing for a number of DIL’s within each cohort to be approved each month (this number will not be provided to pilots in advance of roster build).
- All pilots with a DIL balance should bid for DIL’s every month via JBID. The cut off for DIL requests is aligned with all JBid requests (e.g. requests for the July 24 roster period close 31 May 24).
- If the day(s) you are requesting as a DIL is for an important request, this time off can also be requested through JBid.
- WFP will extract all DIL requests at the beginning of roster build and approve based on the number available and Seniority within each cohort i.e., the most senior pilot will have all requests approved (subject to the amount available in their cohort) before moving to the next pilot's request.
- If pilots do not submit any DIL requests in at least 3 months in the preceding 6 months, Jetstar will consider allocating outstanding DIL’s at its discretion using reverse Seniority within the relevant cohort.
The topic of DILs was also discussed in the JPF meeting with more information below.
Sick Leave Pool Balance
As of the 23/05/2024 there had been 668 days taken since the 5/12/2023 when the Sick Leave Pool was topped up as per EA 54.2.1 (a). There are now 683 days remaining.
Individual Flexibility Arrangements (IFAs)
There is currently 1 Pilot with an approved IFA.
Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs).
The PCC were advised there are between 20-30 Pilots on a FWA.
Hotel Update
The newly appointed Commercial Manager – Customer Experience, Aleks Coha, provided the PCC with an update on the crew hotels that have recently been subject to the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Contracting for these hotels has commenced or about to commence within the next few weeks. The following hotels were inspected by the PCC and endorsed as the preferred option from the list that JQ had selected:
- Darwin – The Hilton Garden Inn (current hotel)
- Nadi – The Sheraton (current hotel)
- DPS – Holiday Inn Baruna (current hotel)
The following hotels were not the preferred options of the PCC due to their location but have been selected by the company due to there being “no suitable alternatives”:
- Christchurch – Novotel Christchurch Airport (12-month contract only)
- Melbourne – Mercure/Pullman Albert Park. (Estimated from September 1.)
We note there is a new Novotel hotel opening in July at Melbourne Airport. It is located very close to T4 and while it is not contracted for use, the company may look to utilise it in the future. We acknowledged that there would be benefit for short layovers only (<12hrs).
There are several hotels with contracts expiring in the second half of 2024 and we will have more information regarding their contract status after the next PCC meeting in August.
Importantly the company has agreed to work more closely with the PCC during the initial RFP stage and we will also be able to compile a list of suitable Ad Hoc hotels for use when the Primary Hotel is unavailable. We welcome this positive engagement by Jetstar which we are optimistic will lead to a more efficient hotel selection process and better standard crew hotels overall.
We were also informed that Hotel OSCAR rates across the network are very low so please ensure you report any hotels issues that occur during your duty as these reports influence re-contracting of incumbent hotels and utilising a hotel on an Ad Hoc basis.
Crew Meals
The process for selecting the new crew meals is hopefully in the final stages. The PCC has 4 reps attending the final tasting session on the 20th of June and Jetstar have indicated a 3-month time frame from that date. We will update pilots following an outcome.
Uniform Update
The company has been pleased that the majority of Pilots have completed their orders for the new uniform. They are expecting the launch around mid-October
Sydney International Car Park
Frustratingly, we still have Sydney based Pilots who regularly operate international sectors without access to the international car park. Unfortunately, Jetstar have no control over the allocation process but they advised the car park is under refurbishment and there will be an additional 30 spaces available later in the year.
Those without access can continue to use the current process and reimbursement of fees are usually carried out within a few days of receiving the expense claim.
Qantas Club Access for Commuters
The PCC previously questioned whether Qantas Club Access for Commuting Jetstar Pilots would be available as per the QF mainline policy. Under this Policy a commuting pilot can access the Lounge when staff travelling between a pilots home base and their domicile for work purposes. Whilst nothing is confirmed at this stage, positive progress is being made and we are hopeful that the Lounges will sign off on granting access to Jetstar commuting pilots
Grooming Standards (Facial Hair)
We have had several pilots raise concerns regarding the existing policy on facial hair and its impact on them personally. The PCC has formally addressed this issue with Jetstar management, advocating for a policy revision that aligns with current safety research and industry trends.
At the PCC meeting, we presented material on the efficacy of facemasks with different beard lengths and highlighted industry trends that support more inclusive grooming standards. We emphasized that a policy revision accommodating reasonable facial hair grooming standards would not only be progressive but also contribute positively to pilot satisfaction and well-being.
Jetstar confirmed that the facial hair policy is currently under a Qantas Group review and that the Qantas Group Flying Operations Safety Committee (QGFOSC) had recently commissioned a third-party independent report on mask efficacy with facial hair. Upon completion of this review it is expected there will be a group wide policy regarding facial hair. It was stressed that the decision on facial hair has nothing to do with aesthetic ‘grooming’ standards, and it was purely a safety consideration.
Crew Alertness Report
Juanita Diaz, Regulatory Affairs Manager, provided a brief on the upcoming changes to Top of Descent fatigue Reporting. AFAP safety and Technical had previously highlighted the issues around data collection via ACARS and the company has now designed an add on to e-briefing to track top of descent fatigue levels.
As per previous policy, providing data will be voluntary and most importantly data will be de-identified by the Principle Fatigue Flight Crew Representative, Joe Eakins.
The report is expected to go ‘live via FSO in early June and we encourage all Pilots to submit these reports.
AFAP and Jetstar Meeting
Following the PCC meeting AFAP representatives, including Senior Industrial/Legal Officers Deanna Cain and Andrew Molnar met with Jetstar representatives to discuss a number of other industrial matters relevant to Jetstar pilots that are more appropriately dealt with at a union level.
A summary of the matters discussed directly between the AFAP and Jetstar are summarised below:
Working on Days In Lieu (DIL)
Following on from our previous update regarding Days in Lieu (DIL) here, we have had further discussions with Jetstar regarding the treatment of a DILs in circumstances where a pilot agrees to work on a DIL or is obligated to work into a DIL as a result of a misconnection.
Jetstar maintains its position that DILs will not be treated like Designated Days Off (DDOs) for the purpose of Work Day Off (WDO) and extension payments. However, Jetstar has acknowledged the feedback from the AFAP regarding the need for some form of recognition or compensation for pilots who work on or into their DILs.
Pleasingly, Jetstar has now agreed to the following process for DILs:
- If a duty is delayed beyond 2300 prior to a DIL due to a misconnection, the DIL will be removed from the roster and automatically be credited back into a pilot’s DIL accrual bank, and the pilot will not be entitled to a 4hr payment or a WDO.
- If a duty is assigned off STBY which is infringes 2300 prior to a DIL, the duty will be an ‘ask’ and if agreed, the DIL will be removed from the roster and automatically be credited back into a pilot’s DIL accrual bank, and the pilot will not be entitled to a 4hr payment or a WDO.
- If a pilot agrees to a duty which commences on the DIL, the DIL will be removed from the roster and automatically be credited back into a pilot’s DIL accrual bank, and the pilot will not be entitled to a WDO.
Notice Requirements and Process for Applying for Unpaid Flexible Parental Leave
As mentioned in our previous update, the National Employment Standard (NES) now includes a provision for Flexible Unpaid Parental Leave (FUPL). This entitlement allows eligible employees to take up to 100 days of unpaid leave within 24 months following the birth or placement of a child. Employees have the flexibility to take this leave as a single continuous period of one day or longer, or as separate periods of one day or longer each. Refer to section 3.5 of the Qantas Group Parental Leave Policy for more details.
Pilots intending to take FUPL must comply with the following notice requirements:
- Provide at least 10 weeks' notice of your intention to take FUPL and indicate the total number of FUPL days (up to 100 days) you plan to take.
- Provide at least 4 weeks' notice of the specific days you intend to take as FUPL.
Jetstar advised that it is currently in the process of developing a new form for pilots to apply for FUPL which should be available on JEN shortly. In the meantime, pilots should email Base Ops to notify of their intention to access FUPL, complying with the notice requirements mentioned above.
For any further updates, pilots are encouraged to check JEN regularly or contact Base Ops directly.
Access to Annual Leave when a Pilot has Exhausted Personal Leave Entitlements.
It has come to our attention that there have been several instances where pilots, having exhausted all their personal leave, have been denied access to their accrued annual leave entitlements during periods of absenteeism. Instead, they have been advised by a NOA or RPM to apply for unpaid sick leave.
The AFAP has raised our objection to this harsh and potentially unlawful approach, noting that under the NES an employer must not unreasonably refuse to agree to a request by an employee to take paid annual leave.
In response to the AFAP's concerns, Jetstar has acknowledged the general ability of employees to request annual leave in circumstances where they have exhausted their personal leave. While these requests will be considered on a case-by-case-basis, Jetstar has indicated that it expects that annual leave will generally be facilitated under these circumstances.
Voluntary Temporary Transfers Swaps
A reminder to pilots who are not domiciled in their home base that there is now an option to apply for a Voluntary Temporary Transfer Swap (see FSO 041/24.)
The list of available swaps is available on the JEN and applications will be reviewed and processed by Base Ops around the 1st of every month.
We are still in discussions with Jetstar about how the available base swap list will be updated/managed each month where a like-for-like swap is not available.
Unscheduled Overnights – Reimbursement for Essential Items
The AFAP recently raised concerns with clause 3.20.5 ‘Unplanned overnights’ from OM1 which when applied literally left no discretion for Jetstar to reimburse pilots for expenses incurred in the event of an unscheduled overnight in any circumstances, irrespective of the reasonableness of the expense/s being claimed.
Jetstar acknowledged that there may be exceptional circumstances/ occasions where a pilot incurs reasonable expenses due to an unscheduled overnight that they should be reimbursed for. It also undertook to review/revise the wording in the OM1 to allow discretion for management pilots to approve reimbursement of expenses on case-by-case basis.
The Company confirmed that the next OM1 update (expected July 2024) would include this revision.
FTCL and STAR Days for NB pilots
There has been an issue with pilots on FTCL being able to access a single star (STR) day within 2 days of their fixed days off (FDO) due to a restriction in JBid around bidding for STR days. Essentially this meant that a FTCL pilot who had FDOs on a Wed/Thurs or Mon/Tues each week could never bid for a single Saturday off (particularly problematic in a 9-day roster where consecutive STR Days not an option).
While Jetstar had been facilitating a manual work around, it has confirmed that the restriction around fixed days off and STR days has now been removed for NB FTCL pilots and they are now able to bid for a single STR day in JBid.
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JBid Working Group – Poor/Fatiguing Pairings and Roster Patterns
As part of the ongoing JBid / Roster Review process, your JPF representatives on the working group have been tasked with identifying and presenting instances of poor rostering. This includes, but is not limited to, issues such as:
- Unnecessary pax flights.
- Minimum Off-Duty Periods (ODPs).
- Insufficient day rest.
- Fatiguing pairings.
- Any other areas of concern.
As such we are requesting participation from the AFAP membership over the next few months to identify past or current rosters that you believe (for whatever reason) require attention. This could be due to any reason related to fatiguing rostering practices and or and efficiency of the roster patterns.
If you have examples of problematic rosters or pairing patterns, please email a screenshot or PDF of the roster or pairing, along with a brief summary explaining why the specific pairing or roster requires attention to jetstar@afap.org.au.
Thank you to the pilots who have already provided examples of fatiguing pairings and roster patterns for review. Your input is critical in our efforts to guide the Jeppesen optimizer and JBid away from suboptimal rostering patterns and improve rostering practices/outcomes.
Your pilot representatives are on hand if you have any questions regarding above. Alternatively, you can contact your AFAP industrial officers Deanna Cain, Pat Larkins or Andrew Molnar via email deanna@afap.org.au, patrick@afap.org.au, or andrew@afap.org.au or call (03) 9928 5737.
Regards
AFAP Jetstar Pilot Federation Committee
Darren Fielder, Jeremy MacPhail, Daniel Blakemore, Ed Greenidge, Yianni Manousaridis, Dominic Corcoran, Mark Buttel, Darren Davis, Chris Gibson, Clinton Baxter, Andrew Ward, Christopher Doyle, Christo Hailes, Paul Hogan, Raj Krishnan