Qantas and others moved quietly to secure 457 Visa, ask your self why?
If they did so to secure supply in a world where supply was previously assumed infinite, is it not interesting that simultaneously the Jetconnect issue and A320 issue arrived almost too close to be coincidence?
Unfortunately as 2011 showed even protected and Fair Work sanctioned action taken by pilots was opposed by the government; The message being clear that withdrawal of labour is not longer possible (unless very small impact)
As pilots expect union leadership to now be ahead of the playbook, it would appear that the 457 announcement caught organised labour off guard.
Qantas pilots are being stalked: stalked by the bogey man of job security and outsourcing. The union is nowhere near dictating terms. The agenda is being driven by IR. Playing catch up is anticipated but highly predictable.
What is not predictable is the individual pilot response. If indeed the intent is to spook the pilot group it appears a success. Jetconnect and other subsidiary airlines
already struggle to attract qualified applicants.
However, quiet and dignified passive resistance cannot by modeled. Withdrawal of co-operation, working specifically to the contract, not what the employer EXPECTS is not considered to be likely. Ryan air pilots showed that O'Leary was bluff. It is highly likely that securing a spooked pilot body, fearful of job loss is the intent. Sign them up for a 5 year deal, below real CPI and the unit labo It didn't work for O'Leary, but whether each individual pilot sees through that bluff is a question for themselves.
If it were me sitting in IR shoes, I would anticipate the pilots responding, flights but will continue to be crewed, policy to be carried out and duty to be extended as usual. After all pilots are predictable, that is why they were hired. Quiet personal and legal measures are in the hands of the pilot himself (or herself) and not needing union directive.
Perhaps searching the internet will show that Australia is not exceptional, it is a globalised pilot market like any other.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-1...ortage/9332260
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pilo...er-t-1.4451976
http://www.traveller.com.au/pilot-sh...-answer-gy1bj9