True you must fully support the FAAA and yourselves but discuss any topic you like even if they dont want to talk about it. The FAAA is a members based organisation so it is yours to discuss with officials anyway you like.
If it was me the first thing on the Agenda would be progression. The current agreement states and I quote:
"Subject to permanent recruitment being required in the short haul division of Qantas. Regional Flight Attendants will be eligible to progress having regard to the following"
Progression from Regional Airlines to the Short Haul Division of Qantas will occur twice a year in (6) month cycles
1 July to 31 December
1 January to 30 June
The number of flight attendants able to progress from the individual regional airline in any (6) month cycle is as follows:
10 Eastern
6 Sunstate
So my first question to the FAAA is why were the regionals not taken into Perth on 1 July with the MAM crew. There were only 32 positions available you take off the 16 owed to Eastern and whatever number for Jet* and the balance go to MAM.
Unlike previous agreements there is no minimum requirement to trigger the progression agreement.
Now to be told that other clauses in the agreement such as deferment to the next 6 month period due to operational reasons (with FAAA approval) does not come into effect as NO permanent positions are available is a joke.
The agreement is black and white QF and the FAAA stuffed up and the FAAA are looking after MAM crew without ensuring that Qantas met its arrangements under the agreement for regional crew.
Now to be told progression will only occur when permanent positions become available is nothing short of disgusting. Lets look at the history of when permanent was available in Mar 2003 and now July 2005. Qantas need to find room for these crew if they like it or not or what is the point of the agreement. And in future any permanent employment must first be given to the regionals as per their agreement.
So if I was an eastern f/a I would be saying we are not starting any negotiations until the issue of progression is resolved jut like how the company witheld the increased numbers until your last EBA was resolved. Dont let it get to a point where your EBA is about to be voted on but they withold start dates for progression until it is voted up. Dont think it wont happen as the past will show you it already has.
Sorry for the rant.