From today’s Worst Oz:
Qantas-owned Network Aviation and the union representing hundreds of WA FIFO pilots are locked in for talks to end an 18-month long bitter pay feud and disruptive strike action.
In a win for Network, the Fair Work Commission on Friday issued an intractable bargaining declaration on the grounds the dispute had reached an impasse.
The airline and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots — which is calling for the same pay as members’ Qantas counterparts — will start a 13-day negotiating period to hash out an agreement.
As a result, pilots have withdrawn planned strike action for Friday and Monday, following a day of strikes on Thursday.
Negotiations are set to end on March 28 but could be extended by the FWC if the pair can’t reach an agreement.