There is an award, but like most of the higher end work like Airlines it's way below what the current pay rates are. Awards are always safety nets, actual salaries are fought for by the workforce, however awards are also difficult to deal with for companies as they have some clauses that don't favor flexibility so it is both parties interest to negotiate. RFDS had built up a set of remuneration based on a lack of pilots and needing to retain in the expensive urban environment of Sydney. Whoever takes over can choose to continue such pay rates, or just change it and accept losses if that occurs. Anyone who works on limited contracts and tender work should only be budgeting for the time that contract exists. And yes a big part of tendered contracts is to keep wages and conditions low for specialist work, which otherwise would blow out if directly employed by the government. The only real counter to this is scope clauses that limit what contracted agencies can do so they can't white ant other businesses with terms and conditions.
In Australia you are not forced to work anywhere you do not want to, you are free to leave at any time or not accept a contract for any reason. However you are not entitled to beach front property in Coogee or property anywhere as a pilot or any other worker. 5 million others in Sydney make do on things as low paid as cleaning toilets or working supermarket shifts. I'm not saying pilots should get paid that low, I'm saying you have to set the bar for what you accept, because no one else really cares. If what is paid is acceptable, that's it, if not don't do it.
Last edited by 43Inches; 3rd Jan 2022 at 21:10.