Maybe if the ALAEA did something serious about the disgraceful General Aviation Award, they might just attract some members back into the fold!
If they also took the cudgels to CASA and its political masters about the appalling back sliding, procrastination and other BS that has held up proper reform of the Regulations for the past decade +, more people would take them seriously. Instead, Australia has become a backwater for LAMEs
If the ALAEA is so keen to be in the media to push their point of view, why wasn't the disgraceful antics of AMSA that have come to light in recent weeks publicised? A major Asian airline has been lobbying the Federal Government for some years now for fifth freedom rights, but its engineering subsidiary thinks it's ok to trample all over Immigration rules to bring their own people in, because it is cheaper than employing and training locals.
Until the ALAEA gets serious about doing something constructive with the
real problems that LAMEs in Australia face, they've lost my support.
Couple of small points. The General Aviation Award no longer exists. It was modernised and became the Airline Operations Ground Staff Award and had the pay rates increased. The ALAEA spent a lot of time and effort in an attempt to really get the award on track using a system to recognise qualifications (and equivilent to certifcate level qualifications) as a basis for payments. The result was as best as could be hoped for under the new industrial laws.
The ALAEA have been at CASA and have been involved in legal battles for over three years to bring them to account for their lack of oversight of maintenance facilities. The ALAEA members have stopped CASA in their tracks on introducing a damaging licence system for the GA sector by being involved and participating in making submissions on proposed legislation as individulas. The ALAEA is working actively with the GA associations and employers to get GA back on track.
The department of Immigration is aware of AMSA and their practices. They will do what they need to do.
The ALAEA has successfully coordinated an industry resarch project supported by not only unions but employers and the education sector to adequately define the real worth of aircraft maintenance to Australia. Both economic and social, committing not only time funds and resources but attracting almost a quarter of a million from the federal government on top.
The ALAEA hasn't been sitting on its hands and ignoring everything bar Qantas. The members that take an interest and read the newsletters know that. Maybe you should have a read sometime. If you are a member then YOU need to participate.