jettlager
Unfortunately short haul have no control anymore over our conditions or the type of flying we are required to undertake and we are the only ones to blame.
When casuals were introduced into short haul the FAAA assured all crew that the use of casuals would be "strictly" controlled and casual would not disadvantage permananet crew.
Now we have a situation where for the last 3 years the only new entrants have been casuals. No one knows the actual figures but it wouldnt surprise me to learn the figure would be as high as 700-900.
Therefore even if we wanted to take industrial action over any offer we were not happy with, it would be pointless as Qantas have an entire workforce capable of crewing flights for some time. This disadvantages our position when it comes to negotiating our EBA and Qantas know it.
Casuals enhance our working life through Flexiable Work Arrangements etc but also diminish our ability to reject things like the increase to 5 hours from the current 3 for regional flying. Like long haul with the removal of the overseas base restriction short haul crew cant blame anyone except ourselves as we agreed to the use of casuals.
Its not just long haul that should be concerned about the short haul EBA it will also effect MAM casuals, regional progression and wannabe cabin crew as Qantas wants to insert into the EBA a clause stating "no requirement for permanent employment". At present there is an agreement where the ratio is strictly controlled (yeah right). Therefore a MAM casual will be a MAM casual for ever in a day with no opportunity for job security or senority as mentioned gigs would like to see. Furthmore crew at the bottom of senority will always be disadvantaged (which the faaa assured crew will not occur when casuals where introduced) as no permanent crew will be employed and regional progression will not be activated which in itself is appalling.
When we were first introduced to the idea of regional flying it was explained to short haul that it would be a shared arrangement on the airbus. No one expected that it would result in the near closure of the Perth long haul base and take a lof of the traditional short regional flying away from long haul we always thought it would be shared. Now with the new divisional flying agreement and the possible introduction of new long range aircraft like the 777 which is not covered by any agreement short haul are getting more and more regional flying.
But what can we do absolutely nothing, if Qantas only offered 1% and told us to fly to the moon we would have to just accept it. The funny thing is if any industrial action was ever considered the FAAA would be on one hand supporting us and on the other directing MAM casuals to work as thats what the law dictates.