Jetstar and Qantas can try this hard line of bargaining against the pilot group as they know they will cave in. Unfortunately the culture within Jetstar is different to Qantas as they have set precedents by undercutting the competition. While undercutting the competition is fine if you want to survivie in business, it is surely unwise to go seriously under the line. The Australian General Aviation culture of working for your rent (if you are lucky) has not been discarded by the Jetstar pilots. They have carried it into the airline and now it remains. The vast majority of Jetstar pilots earned their stripes in GA (not that there is anyting inherently amiss with that). It is obvious that if they stick by their guns they will improve these salaries, not by much but enough. Yes it is terrible money for the job done. Yes they are not contributing to maintaining employment and conditions standards within Australia. Yes it is disappointing. It may be OK if you can support the wage with a pension (eg ex-Military or other) but don't expect to see the kids grow up. Also, is there any truth to the rumour that the domestic Jetstar pilots bring their own lunch and drinks for the flights?
Let us hope that they maintain their professional standards.