Something that popped out of the fax machine that may be of interest to some.
The Chamber of Commerce NT would like to inform you that the Australian Federation of Air Pilots has made an application for the above awards to be made common rule in the Northern Territory. The application will be heard in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 24 March 2004 at 12.30pm.
Presently the above four awards are respondent only awards. This means if your business is listed in the Schedule of Respondents, usually located at the back of the award, your employees' terms and conditions are covered by that award. If your business is not listed then your employees are "award free" and you have the flexibility to negotiate your pilot's terms and conditions and most importantly their wages.
If the above awards become Common rule, and if your business is not already listed in the relevant award, then your pilots will be covered by that award and your business will have to abide by the award when it comes to their wages, terms and conditions. If your business breeches the award you may incur penalties from $1,000 up to $10,000.
Things could get interesting for some operators if the Federation is successful.
