AIPA Media Release
Qantas pilots vote to take industrial action in historic ballot
Qantas pilots have, for the first time since 1966, voted to take protected industrial action in pursuit of a Qantas flight/Qantas pilot clause in the new enterprise agreement.
89% of pilots eligible voted in the ballot, with 94% voting to take protected industrial action as a means of applying pressure to management to come to the table and negotiate on how to achieve the clause.
Australian and International Pilots Association President Barry Jackson said pilots will now decide on what form of Protected Industrial Action they will take.
“Qantas pilots dedicate their careers to looking after Qantas passengers, so naturally we will be doing everything possible to minimise disruption to travellers and focus the pressure on management,” Captain Jackson said.
“However, the historic nature of this vote proves just how critical a point we have reached. We believe and the public believes that when you board a Qantas flight you are entitled to a Qantas pilot in the cockpit.
“That’s part of the deal when you fly Qantas. You expect the world-leading safety culture of Australian Qantas pilots. “Yet we now have a CEO who believes you can substitute Australian Qantas pilots with outsourced and offshore alternatives without doing damage to the brand. He’s dead wrong.
“The key point of differentiation Qantas has as a brand is its Australian safety culture, built over 90 years.
“That’s what this dispute is all about. Qantas pilots want to continue operating Qantas flights, but they know management has plans to shift Qantas operations to Asia and start mass outsourcing.
“As a result, AIPA is insisting on a Qantas flight/Qantas pilot clause in the new enterprise agreement. Our members need to know that if a Qantas flight is operating, then there will be a Qantas pilot at the controls.
“It’s important for Qantas pilots, but it’s also important for Qantas passengers. We understand that the company needs to adapt and evolve to stay profitable, but outsourcing the jobs of impeccably-trained and experienced Australian pilots isn’t a smart way to do it.
“Qantas pilots remain fully willing to negotiate on what needs to be done to achieve a Qantas flight/Qantas pilot clause, and we urge management to come to the table and talk about how we can work together to take this great airline forward.”