Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > PPRuNe Worldwide > Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific
Reload this Page >

Jetstar Pilot Council Snubs AIPA

Wikiposts
Search
Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific Airline and RPT Rumours & News in Australia, enZed and the Pacific

Jetstar Pilot Council Snubs AIPA

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 28th Feb 2006, 19:43
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: C9-H6-N2-O2
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Grrr Jetstar Pilot Council Snubs AIPA

Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Australian International Pilots Association
Locked Bag 747
Botany NSW 1455
Attention: Captain Ian Woods
President AIPA
Cc: All Jetstar Pilots
Dear Captain Woods,
It is necessary to write to you to clarify the position of the Jetstar Pilot Council and it’s support of the proposed variations to our existing EBA.
A majority of the Jetstar Pilot Council members, of which there are five, have agreed to support and promote the proposed variation.
The Jetstar Pilot Council is the elected party which represents the Jetstar Pilot Group on all industrial matters, and does so with a clear mandate.
We have taken the decision to support these changes following a process of negotiation which occurred over a five month period.
These negotiations resulted in the drafting of the proposed variations which we believe provide the mechanism for working with the company in securing the best opportunity for continued and sustained growth for the pilots we represent .
At all times the negotiations between Jetstar management and the Jetstar Pilot Council were cordial and constructive.
Both Parties remained mindful of the each others position in respect of our professional engagement and the continuance of a close working relationship, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.
I have now on several occasions made this position clear to yourself and other members of the AIPA Committee.
The correspondence which you have recently composed and distributed via electronic means to our pilot members is misleading in that:
1) I have made it clear to yourself and other members of the AIPA Committee that at no time during negotiations with the Jetstar management team did myself or any other member of the Jetstar Pilot Council feel in any way under duress, nor were we threatened or coerced.
2) I have clearly stated to yourself on more than one occasion that the possibility of the company using a North American crewing company, was an assumptions made by myself as a result of exploring the availability of suitable pilots.
These explorations were effected through discussions with personal associates not related to the Qantas group.
This option or outcome was at no time proffered by the Jetstar management team as a crewing solution.
There exists no evidence to support your assertion that any Jetstar Pilot Council member has expressed either to yourself, nor to any AIPA Committee member, any feeling of threat or duress.
I have spoken to each Jetstar Pilot Council member today and have confirmed that no such conversations have taken place.
Your call to our pilot body through the unsolicited correspondence of recent days is not welcomed by the Jetstar Pilot Council, and we will advise our pilot group not to respond.
AIPA’s claim that it has the interest of every Qantas group pilot at heart is quite simply too little too late.
It is perceived by those Jetstar pilots with whom I have had the opportunity to contact, as a thinly veiled attempt to disrupt our progress in securing the opportunities presented to us.
Most feel it is hard to believe that AIPA could represent or act on our behalf in a fair and impartial manner which would secure the best result for the Jetstar Pilot Group.
AIPA would have been afforded the opportunity to attend as observers, any negotiation between the Jetstar Pilot Council and the Jetstar management team, had any pilot in the Jetstar Pilot Group who is a full and financial member of AIPA, requested such attendance.
To the knowledge of the Jetstar Pilot Council, no such request was made.
Your claim that the variation is in itself deceptive in respect to it’s references to “Wide Body” not “Long Haul” is an insult to the entire Jetstar Pilot Group.
Throughout all negotiations and subsequent discussions with the pilot members, it has been clearly understood that this variation reflects the introduction and operation of Wide Body aircraft into the Jetstar fleet.
It is not a variation in respect to long haul or international operations by Jetstar as Jetstar already conduct international operations.
Should you continue in these attempts to disrupt the negotiations and subsequent vote, we of the Jetstar Pilot Council believe your committee is seriously and potentially irreversibly threatening this opportunity for Jetstar pilots to gain access to future growth and the inherent employment security.
We would expect you to retract those comments in your recent correspondence identified herein as misleading and incorrect.
Your Faithfully
Rick Heaton
President
Jetstar Pilot Council
Is this the beginning of the end?
Toluene Diisocyanate is offline  
Old 28th Feb 2006, 21:10
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 116
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With that sort of response let them have the flying. If they believe that wide body doesn't mean long haul on other types than the A330 for as little as 160k they are all fools!!!! Sad very bl00dy sad
Break Right is offline  
Old 28th Feb 2006, 21:30
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Middle East
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ooooh great another Jetstar thread...

Have no idea what this one is about, not intersted really...just want to make it known that the whole operation is a scam and the Government is one of the principal scammers!! As my original thread was shut down ("Jetstar you are a disgrace!) I thought it only fare to remind everyone that they are in fact.....a disgrace!!

4 days in the sinbin for you...you're right you have no idea.

Ethereal Woomera


Last edited by Woomera; 1st Mar 2006 at 12:05.
Fox3snapshot is offline  
Old 28th Feb 2006, 21:32
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Oz
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You just don't get it..do you?

4 days sinbin for you too.

Ethereal Woomera

Last edited by Woomera; 1st Mar 2006 at 12:08.
DutchRoll is offline  
Old 28th Feb 2006, 21:40
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Surrounding the localizer
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
The continued erosion of T & C's is a product of a weak pilot body (whether you call it unions or not) You Jet* guys and gals are the masters of your own destiny on this one. How many of you out of interest paid for a type-rating? How about those of you that would quite happily take a pay cut so you could get the base you want?
Be strong..stick together, ultimately you can be sure that any concessions that the management types get out of you..will be reflected in their bonus payments
haughtney1 is offline  
Old 28th Feb 2006, 23:22
  #6 (permalink)  
Keg

Nunc est bibendum
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 5,583
Received 11 Likes on 2 Posts
Thumbs down

As a dad, I'm very conscious of labelling the behaviour, not the person. J* pilots themselves are people like the rest of us and the proposal beinb put to them does not make them a disgrace. It is a poor deal but that does not reflect on the genuineness of the actions of the people doing the negotiation. It does show that they are significantly out gunned but again, this does not make them a disgrace.

So, from a mainline pilots perspective, can we knock it off with the name calling and just label the deal for what it is. Woeful.
Keg is offline  
Old 28th Feb 2006, 23:42
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Wherever I can log on.
Posts: 1,872
Received 9 Likes on 7 Posts
Thumbs down

TD

What have you achieved by posting this on an open forum? This is just muck raking and will hinder any negotiations and offers of support to the JPC. As Keg says, now is not the time to play the man but play the issues. We need to have all lines of communication open at this time and support the JPC in achieving the highest possible remuneration for flying the A332's and subsequently the B787. The salary that they agree to will set the standard for Oz based airlines for the future.
Going Boeing is offline  
Old 28th Feb 2006, 23:50
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 116
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Going Boeing
We need to have all lines of communication open at this time and support the JPC in achieving the highest possible remuneration for flying the A332's and subsequently the B787.
The JPC have set the rate and have closed all lines of communication. The package that you are voting on is the deal that the JPC and Jetstar have agreed too. Both the Feds and Aipa offered their services but the JPC new better didn't they and now look at what you have to vote on. Absolutley disgraceful.
Break Right is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 00:12
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: House
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I originally posted this on another thread.

Originally Posted by Agent Mulder
What no one cares to define is what is the "Market"?
There are 300 JQ Pilots, 400 VB Pilots and about 100 NJS Pilots flying jets in Australia. Total of 800.
There are 2500 Qantas Pilots flying jets in Australia.
Total 3300.
Qantas Pilots are 76% of "the Market".
Therefore, by any reasoned argument, Qantas Pilots are the "Market". The other 24% are earning below market salaries and therefore are to be supported in their attempts to bring their salaries up to meet the market, not the opposite.
Standing by for reasoned argument.

I do not agree that this is the conditions for Qantas Pilots going forward, and not just for the reason stated above.

Qantas Pilots have a binding Certified Agreement. Binding on the Pilots and the Company. They cannot ignore it! Nor can they throw it out without substantial consequences detrimental to the business.

What Qantas Pilots have to do right now is send the message to the Board and others that whilst Jetstar Pilots are prepared to work for the conditions they have negotiated, Qantas Pilots are not.

Any amount of posturing by the management is worthless if the Pilots determine that they are prepared to stand up for their negotiated terms and conditions. Show them that you are prepared to negotiate, but you are not going to be dictated to on the future of YOUR profession and the quality of life of your family.

You are 76% of the Jet Pilots in Australia. You have the numbers and the ability to control the outcome.

Look for fat in the Certified Agreements that make you more productive i.e. increased divisors, less restrictive open time allocation, home transport for being paxed in business class (please!), just to name a few. Remember an increase in productivity comes with an increase in salary. Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate.

Tread carefully, don't be brash, and for peat's sake stop abusing others for negotiating a deal to the best of their ability. At least they are negotiating, and at least they have a deal. They did the best they could with what they had. Deal with it and move on. You do not have to work for those conditions.

Whenever anyone hears someone saying that this sets the benchmark for the future, ask why? It is a fundamentally flawed argument that 300 JQ pilots set "Market Rates" for 2500 QF Pilots with a fleet size 600% larger. It is a conditioning line used by managers to attempt to make you believe their position. Remember to ask them why they think that, and stand by for a blank stare or a fluffy stumble of words.

You know what you have available to deal with, there's a deal to be done and it can be as painless as you want it to be. Be cognisant of the fact that if you don't change, you may lose control of the agenda.

It's up to you to determine how YOU want your future to be.
Agent Mulder is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 00:19
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, USA
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would go one further than that and say that the Jetstar Pilots Council has a right to recommend a vote in favour; but they're not the ones doing all the voting. It would seem that there are only five on the council.

The crews actually doing the flying and not getting cozy with management might have other ideas!
Chris Higgins is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 00:27
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 116
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The crews actually doing the flying and not getting cozy with management might have other ideas!
I really hope this is true!!
Break Right is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 01:15
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, USA
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Some striking parallels

We had a union at Netjets that ran to management and tried to ram a new contract down our throats. We rejected the contract, conducted an inquiry into our Local Union Affiliate..then fired the lot of 'em!

Less than 12 months later with a newly elected leadership and the unified support of 2,200 pilots we got:

1. $US 40, 000 signing bonuses

2. Elimination of all potential training contracts, bonding, and pay-for-training.

3. 30-48 percent raises across the board.

4. Scope protection to eliminate others from flying our passengers.


Netjets used to have pay-for-training, a union that was not solid in its representaion focus and poor morale.

Now the place is a winner!

I have one question for "Rick" who seems to be placing an unreasonable focus on "his" personal fortunes if this agreement goes through.

What will stop QF Group from starting "Fanstar" next week and getting another group of merry men together to drive wages below those that you have just agreed to?

When friends of mine vacation in Australia, they ask me if they have to worry about sharks. I tell 'em,

"Only the ones with two feet."
Chris Higgins is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 02:15
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: springfield retirement castle
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mulder, you should take the time to familiarise yourself with the government's wonderful new IR legislation "going forward".

When the mainline pilots' certified agreement, which I believe is "binding" only until January 2007, or anyone else's for that matter, expires, everything is up for grabs.

An employer is then permitted to unilaterally give 90 days notice that existing terms and conditions are unacceptable, and will no longer be complied with.

If after that time no new agreement is reached, all the employer legally has to provide is a minimum salary of approx $484 per week, 38 hours of work per week averaged over 12 months, 10 days per annum sick leave, 4 weeks annual leave and 52 per weeks parental leave.
jaded boiler is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 02:29
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Maharashtra
Posts: 153
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Keg and others, I was not having a go at the Jetstar pilots at all, just the JPC. I would hope and believe the the rest of the Jetstar pilots will think like Chris and let management of both JPC and Jetstar know by voting accordingly...
regitaekilthgiwt is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 03:58
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 1998
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The only comments that i will make on the signatory to the letter (Rick) are from observation from knowing him for a number of years.

1. he has had more worldly and diverse life experiences than most mainline pilots put together;

2. he is as cunning and as streetwise as anyone I have met;

3. I hope the management countered their fingers after shaking hands with him- there may be a couple missing....

alidad is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 04:23
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Exactly Alidad,

So is there an ulterior motive for representing the J* pilot body? Like perhaps, a management position?
murgatroid is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 04:27
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mars
Age: 20
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
WorkChoices legislation has no place in this debate. Mulder is right.
Qantas pilots are the market. We fly the 787 under OUR deal, not theirs. At this stage it seems the JPC is going to vote this deal up. I, and I reckon a lot of others at QF, will never work under the conditions they have negotiated. If my contract is terminated and I'm offered those conditions, I will quit. I have the ultimate power over whether I turn up to work. I have a valuable skill and I'm not selling it cheap- I'll sell used cars before I accept a crap deal like this. Good luck to J* guys, youre going to need it.
TineeTim is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 05:19
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Where I'm not alarmed
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angry AND WHY SHOULDN'T THEY?

For as long as Implulse has existed in its various incarnations - JetStar International being the latest - and no matter what equipment it has operated, pilots employed at that airline have been lampooned, derided, castigated and generally ridiculed by mainly AIPA members as the latter saw the new boys on the block as a threat to their jealously protected terms and conditions. The show appears to be now on the other foot.

Why shouldn't the JPC agree to the proposed conditions that have been negotiated in good will by one hopes mature adult professionals? If the agreement gives these guys largely what they want in return for their labour and skills, then so be it. If it means that Qantas Mainline pilots get shafted down the line, then so be it. No one needs be in any doubt as to the AIPA position: the brothers are outraged not because they really think the JPC is selling out but really at the thought that the end of the ride on their gravy train is about to end - and not before time. AIPA and its members are so egocentric that nothing or no one else matters save them. Their track record stands as irrefutable evidence. When you get to the bottom line, Impulse and co. have been able to do for many young and not so young pilots that wasn't possible elsewhere.

Murgatroid comments "So is there an ulterior motive for representing the J* pilot body? Like perhaps, a management position?" Really, but he should look no further than the procession of AIPA types who have crossed the divide for much personal reward at the expense of those who they purported to represent.

TineeTim...is modesty one of your stronger attributes? You probably have much to be modest about! Good luck in the car yard on the Parramatta Road as you'll sure need it with such an attitude.

Last edited by B A Lert; 1st Mar 2006 at 05:40.
B A Lert is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 05:44
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: south of the equator
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would argue that QF pilots are not the benchmark – you are having yourself on if you believe that. The new IR Rules are the benchmark! Individual companies and their shareholders will decide appropriate wages with their employees after negotiation as the PM wants. Whether this is right or not is another matter. The QF Board initially recognised the opportunity to increase profit by the introduction of an airline named Jetstar with lower overheads to compete with LCCs like Virgin. This has added to increased profits for the QF group with primary beneficiaries being shareholders and customers who get reduced fares. At the bottom, some may argue are employees who may or may not receive salary increases.

The QF Board have now seen the opportunity to expand internationally with Jetstar at the expense of QF mainline and again at lower operating costs. It begs the question whether Jetstar will take over completely in the next 10 years and be renamed Qantas at a later date when what we now know as Qantas has folded. No ‘I’m not dreamn’. I wish I was. Some QF pilots may not want to accept what is happening, but this is the real world we live in now and it’s happening! A united body is the only way to prevent further deterioration of wages and conditions as a pilot.

A genuine yardstick for pay levels can only be achieved by ONE Union to negotiate on behalf of all pilots who fly jet aircraft and maybe regional aircraft. Otherwise, with the AFAP, AIPA, JPC, and other pilot councils negotiating separately for separate airlines, the situation will deteriorate further. The fallout is seen in the initial post to this thread where one body is being told not to interfere. The AFAP and AIPA must now become united and pilot councils in various organisations, incorporated into the new union.
Pine Tree is offline  
Old 1st Mar 2006, 05:53
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Asia
Age: 56
Posts: 2,600
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Guy’s,

It is so obvious as an outsider looking in that most that are criticizing the QF pilot group are probably management trying to stir the pot. Think before you take any notice of them. My advice to everyone in QF and JQ is to ignore them. This is the oldest trick in the book in the divide and conquer game and management are using it to the fullest.
404 Titan is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.