Case -
1. Many mining companies require the service of air charter. Typically,
these companies require the Pilot(s) of the flight to meet specified experience levels. Mining charter contracts are a big deal to charter operators because at the very least, they ensure secure revenue.
The Pilots Award should reward the more experienced Pilot - the reasoning is justified. A pay subscale between Captain and First Officer should be enforced, and or a scheduled loyalty bonus should be paid
Comments - [left blank]
2. 30.1.1 of the GA award - "Where a pilot will be away from home base for more than 48 hours the employer will,
upon request by the pilot, provide suitable transport or the cost thereof between the pilot's home and the pilot's base airport irrespective of time of departure or return. Where a pilot lives in excess of 50 kilometres from their base airport
the employer may elect to pay the pilot the allowance of 70 cents per kilometre prescribed in 30.1.3 hereof in lieu of the provision of transport."
Bold emphasis is mine. Items in BOLD are weak! Who does this clause aim to protect? Scenario: what young first job Pilot is going to request transport if it is not offerred by their employer? Which fair dinkum employer elects to pay the Pilot an allowance of...? Why is the wording not absolute?, i.e. suitable transport WILL be provided by the employer, and 'if suitable transport cannot be provided, or, as an alternate, the emplyer will provided the Pilot with an allowance...' I suggest that the client bares the brunt of the these costs. In too many situations, the Pilot subsidises the operator and or client.
Comments - [left blank]
3. How many of us have claimed $74.95 as stated in part 30.33 of the award re: unloading freight? Why is it up to the Pilot to announce the claim? Who is the Pilot who will make the claim, if all of his colleagues don't?
Comments - [left blank]
4. Award part 30.61! How many charter operators provide you with a mobile phone?
Comments - [left blank]
5. Section 31 of the award - why is anything here able to be negotiated?
How many of us have 'negotiated' or accepted that a per diem of $30 or $60 or $80 is close enough?
Comments - [left blank]