In our last update we detailed just how poor the company offer for a new EA at EFA was. We also advised that in response to this very disappointing company offer we decided to make application for a “protected action ballot order” (PABO).
We are pleased to advise that the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has approved our application and a Protected Industrial Action (PIA) ballot of EFA pilots will commence next week – opening at midday 16 June 2025 and closing at 4:00pm 25 June 2025.
All AFAP members as at the date of the order will receive separate information and instructions from the independent and authorised agent conducting the ballot, TrueVote.
As part of the process of conducting a PIA ballot, the FWC schedules a compulsory conciliation conference of all bargaining representatives, including the employer. This conference has been listed for 9:00am on Tuesday 17 June 2025 in Sydney before Commissioner Riordan.
We know that for many of you this will be your first experience with PIA. For this reason, we are scheduling an “All EFA Pilots Meeting” via Teams at 5:00pm this Friday 13 June 2025 (i.e. tomorrow). Staff and EFA pilot representatives from each of the unions will be on the Teams meeting to explain PIA and answer any of your questions. Over the weekend we also intend to send out a joint update on “Explaining Industrial Action”.
The Teams link for the “All EFA Pilots Meeting” at 5:00pm Friday 13 June 2025 is as follows:
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Meeting ID: 436 942 868 733 8
Passcode: dV3C3N5L
For those of you who are unable to make the Teams meeting, our key message is to make sure you vote. You will be sent details on how to do this shortly before the vote opens.
You will be asked to vote on 11 separate forms of industrial action. These proposed forms of industrial action will range from low level actions to more significant actions. They are designed to cover a number of different scenarios and provide options to the AFAP and your pilot representatives.
We advise pilots to vote yes to each of the 11 separate forms of industrial action. By voting yes to each form of action, you will be sending a strong message to EFA/Qantas that you are prepared to take those actions in support of an acceptable agreement being put out to vote.
Your vote is secret, no one else will be told how you vote unless you tell them. EFA will see how many pilots voted, but not their identity. There is strength in numbers and 100% of pilots voting yes for all actions will show that strength.
By voting yes to a form of action, it does not necessarily mean that the particular action will be taken. Once a form of action is voted up, it means that the action is available to us going forward. It does not have to be used. This is why all pilots should vote yes to each form of action. This will allow for the greatest choice going forward.
Which actions will be taken and when will be decided and notified in due course. Actions can be notified and taken at different times, they do not have be taken all together. They do not have to be taken immediately. We have flexibility in how to exercise approved forms of industrial action.
The PIA ballot at EFA has been approved by the FWC and the AFAP supports the rights of all its members to take lawful protected industrial action where necessary and justified.
Remember, no action can be taken until you are advised that it can be taken by the AFAP.
Make sure you vote and vote yes to each of the 11 separate forms of industrial action. Vote early. You have nothing to lose from voting yes to each form of action. You are not committed to taking the actions by voting yes. By voting yes, you show the collective strength of the pilot group.
For those of you who are able to attend we look forward to speaking to you on the Teams meeting at 5:00pm tomorrow.
If you have any questions on the above, please contact us directly or Simon Lutton at the AFAP on (03) 9928 5737 or email
simon@afap.org.au.
Yours sincerely
Susha Semenikow and Dean McMahon
AFAP EFA Pilot Representatives