This is going to be a mess of gigantic proportions. Now, this isn't just the normal post-announcement-pilot-hysterics that usually follow these decisions but this is going to hurt the affected rather badly. And the Company is only to blame.
When the PER base opened a few years ago, a few SSA guys went over to either go home or get a command. That came with resigning from SSA and going to the bottom of the EAA list. Now that the base has closed, that will leave a few junior commanders back to an FO slot with EAA out of SYD/MEL/MQL just to retain a degree of seniority - or they go back to SSA at the BOTTOM of the list as an FO in CNS/BNE (after some gave up a decent seniority - to fly the same friggen aircraft for the same friggen company). The FOs in PER will probably have to do the same thing, but in ADL - again at the bottom of the SSA list (and convert to the Q300). A complete quagmire of HR policy because of the Company's refusal to combine the two seniority lists.
PER was a SSA cabin crew base, with EAA techies, on a aircraft that is only on the SSA AOC, maintained by Network Aviation. The ADL base will be SSA tech and cabin crew, operating the Q300 which is on the EAA AOC (and rumoured to be maintained by Cobham contractors) We're one big happy family - but only when it suits the Company.
I am astounded that they have decided to do this just before Christmas and while both EAA and SSA have pilot EBAs open. That 18 month pay freeze - they can cram it with walnuts
Like the Feds and management have said, seniority clauses in each EBA will be followed to the letter - but don't tell that to our new 'Fleet Standardisation and Operational Compliance Captain'.
It's been said before and I'll say it again; look out for each other. It's just three simple words that make all the difference: Are you Ok?
Fuel-Off
