RFDS pilots commence industrial action
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: GREAT SOUTHERN LAND
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Medwun the conditions you described are very similar to what Western Ops have and unfortunately the management there don't give a hoot about fatigue.Good to see that you are going to stick together and not cave in like the Western Ops guys
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: australia
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For anyone inclined to voice their opinion of our plight, the RFDS phone numbers and addresses can be found with a search of:
whitepages
Type in "Royal Flying Doctor Service" for South Australia, that should give you enough information for emails phone numbers etc.
whitepages
Type in "Royal Flying Doctor Service" for South Australia, that should give you enough information for emails phone numbers etc.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Oz
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Round evry Xmas and New Year I send the RFDS a donation to the followin address, but if ya need to check its still current 'ere's a nother cuppla contacts to make sure
RFDS
Central Operations
71 Henley Beach Rd
Mile End
S.A. 5031
Phone 08 8238 3333
email to
[email protected]
John Lynch (CEO)
08 8238 3310
[email protected]
Merry Xmas RFDS
Be seein youse round.
RFDS
Central Operations
71 Henley Beach Rd
Mile End
S.A. 5031
Phone 08 8238 3333
email to
[email protected]
John Lynch (CEO)
08 8238 3310
[email protected]
Merry Xmas RFDS
Be seein youse round.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My father was the doctor in the RFDS based in Wyndham in 1957-58, where I spent the first year of my life. His stories of the way the pilots operated so professionally and so capably remain with me.
Stick together guys. All ATCs give you absolute priority because of the importance of your jobs. Stand firm, and get the pay and conditions that you deserve.
Stick together guys. All ATCs give you absolute priority because of the importance of your jobs. Stand firm, and get the pay and conditions that you deserve.
Join Date: Jan 1997
Location: UK
Posts: 7,737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As Xmas is only just around the corner Medwun it would be very rude of us to prevent folks from sending their good wishes and donations to the service. We are therefore indebted to the Ocker in this instance.
The Woomera's might even consider making such useful contact details sticky for a few days. Such an incredible, genuinely worldwide reputation wasn't won from an office chair operating a spreadsheet but I'm sure aviators all over the world would like to pass on their appreciation nevertheless to the people there who are paid at airline rates and above.
bah, humbug,
rob
The Woomera's might even consider making such useful contact details sticky for a few days. Such an incredible, genuinely worldwide reputation wasn't won from an office chair operating a spreadsheet but I'm sure aviators all over the world would like to pass on their appreciation nevertheless to the people there who are paid at airline rates and above.
bah, humbug,
rob
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: australia
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPruNe towers
I am humbly thankful for your kind generosity towards a caring charitable organisation.
Ocker, you have such a clever way with words!!
Dirty Pierre, you and your colleagues assistance, flexibility, lateral thinking and professional handling of many of our flights make our sometimes hair raising job that little bit easier. Thanks to all ATCers.
I am humbly thankful for your kind generosity towards a caring charitable organisation.
Ocker, you have such a clever way with words!!
Dirty Pierre, you and your colleagues assistance, flexibility, lateral thinking and professional handling of many of our flights make our sometimes hair raising job that little bit easier. Thanks to all ATCers.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The dark corner of the bar
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best of luck guys. You deserve to earn a fantastic income for the invaluable work that you do. The flying that RFDS pilots do on a daily basis makes airline ops look like a kids tea party.
Good luck and stand strong!!!
DM
Good luck and stand strong!!!
DM
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: brissy
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RFDS pilots about $55K 1st year (if on turbine much less for piston)
RFDS nurse about $75 1st year
The nurses have a better union affiliated with the ACTU.
The pilots have a federation affiliated with no one, except management in the companies of the pilots they represent.
RFDS nurse about $75 1st year
The nurses have a better union affiliated with the ACTU.
The pilots have a federation affiliated with no one, except management in the companies of the pilots they represent.
Last edited by mnbvcxzqwertyuiop; 2nd Nov 2005 at 00:31.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Perth
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good on you lads, fight for a fair pay packed, for many
Pilots the RFDS is a lifestyle choice, if one is unable to pay off a house and feed a family, the job soon losses it's appeal.
Stick together !!!!!!, if anyone backs down or undercuts you make sure you tell everyone about it ( right here ).
Pilots the RFDS is a lifestyle choice, if one is unable to pay off a house and feed a family, the job soon losses it's appeal.
Stick together !!!!!!, if anyone backs down or undercuts you make sure you tell everyone about it ( right here ).
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Not on this planet
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many moons ago I worked for the equlivant air ambulance organisation here in NZ.
I was always amazed by the fact that the nurses and loadmasters [yes we carried loadmasters] were paid a good deal more than the pilots up front, [including the captains] who were responsible for operating "anywhere anytime".
I guess it just boils down to the fact that they had a much stronger union presence. It might have something to do with supply and demand.
Good luck guys - you deserve every penny.
Unfortunately, our organisation was closed down by management fraud - but that's another story...
I was always amazed by the fact that the nurses and loadmasters [yes we carried loadmasters] were paid a good deal more than the pilots up front, [including the captains] who were responsible for operating "anywhere anytime".
I guess it just boils down to the fact that they had a much stronger union presence. It might have something to do with supply and demand.
Good luck guys - you deserve every penny.
Unfortunately, our organisation was closed down by management fraud - but that's another story...
media
From a small report in the on-line version of the Australian earlier this week:
Be very careful to prevent these falsities getting into the media. Joe public still thinks airline pilots (and pilots in general) are well/over paid.
CS
at present (RFDS) pilots are paid along the same lines as airline pilots
CS
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oz
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Guys,
How Goes it at work so far?
Any comments from your customers regarding your 'civilian' dress code??
How are your other colleagues (Doctors, Nurses) feeling about your actions.
Any word yet from management that could be construed as positive.
Stick in there guys.
Regards
Hans
How Goes it at work so far?
Any comments from your customers regarding your 'civilian' dress code??
How are your other colleagues (Doctors, Nurses) feeling about your actions.
Any word yet from management that could be construed as positive.
Stick in there guys.
Regards
Hans
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Wybacrik
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What can I say? If an RFDS pilot is flying for 55K and his on board nurse is getting 75K, and assuming he knows this, then he is a complete and utter fool and deserves to be treated like the idiot he is!... 
Don Quixote Impersonator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Australia
Age: 77
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mrs gaunty is an operating theatre nurse manager and runs 4 suites flat out all day.
She too is driven by a higher calling, is already getting more than that BUT she is also in the middle of negotiating even more moolah than that to better reflect the scope of her responsibilities. And to compensate for the stress and the grinding hours.
A couple of her nursing friends are married to RFDS pilots having met them on the job, they are all earning more than their husbands
I'm with amos, it is a mystery of the universe why RFDS pilots salaries are not pegged to at least the nurses.
I understand the history and the why of it but it's certainly high time they were recognised for their skills and abilities.
Australian RFDS pilots are a unique and highly skilled brand who routinely operate under and in conditions that would have most pilots calling for the doctor and airline pilots simply refusing point blank.
When in the depths of a cold dark and stormy night and from the comfort of my warm bed, I hear one of their aircraft moaning off into the north to pick up a casualty or emergency, probably with a black hole approach at the other end, my thoughts go with them and with thanks that it's not me. Except on those glorious full moon, gin clear nights
The days of running on donations and willing hands are long gone, the operational costs are picked up by Govt and that includes the doctors and nurses, why not the pilots.
Maybe they would even be seen as a legitimate full on career prospect, instead of the way to somewhere else which is why I suspect it has been difficult to keep the pilots together in any form of action.
The Australia outside the big cities would not work without them.
Now if our Dick were to get behind this wholly Australian exercise and fight for the RFDS pilots in Canberra and the States and Territories, I might even be persuaded as to his Australian bona fides.
But I guess at the end of the day whilst there are many many more pilots than jobs and there are many many more jobs than nurses, it will be a difficult call.
And I would be an absolute fool to believe that were they to go out, there wouldn't be a long queue of their "fellow" pilots lined up for their jobs.
plus ca change!
She too is driven by a higher calling, is already getting more than that BUT she is also in the middle of negotiating even more moolah than that to better reflect the scope of her responsibilities. And to compensate for the stress and the grinding hours.
A couple of her nursing friends are married to RFDS pilots having met them on the job, they are all earning more than their husbands
I'm with amos, it is a mystery of the universe why RFDS pilots salaries are not pegged to at least the nurses.
I understand the history and the why of it but it's certainly high time they were recognised for their skills and abilities.
Australian RFDS pilots are a unique and highly skilled brand who routinely operate under and in conditions that would have most pilots calling for the doctor and airline pilots simply refusing point blank.
When in the depths of a cold dark and stormy night and from the comfort of my warm bed, I hear one of their aircraft moaning off into the north to pick up a casualty or emergency, probably with a black hole approach at the other end, my thoughts go with them and with thanks that it's not me. Except on those glorious full moon, gin clear nights
The days of running on donations and willing hands are long gone, the operational costs are picked up by Govt and that includes the doctors and nurses, why not the pilots.
Maybe they would even be seen as a legitimate full on career prospect, instead of the way to somewhere else which is why I suspect it has been difficult to keep the pilots together in any form of action.
The Australia outside the big cities would not work without them.
Now if our Dick were to get behind this wholly Australian exercise and fight for the RFDS pilots in Canberra and the States and Territories, I might even be persuaded as to his Australian bona fides.
But I guess at the end of the day whilst there are many many more pilots than jobs and there are many many more jobs than nurses, it will be a difficult call.
And I would be an absolute fool to believe that were they to go out, there wouldn't be a long queue of their "fellow" pilots lined up for their jobs.
plus ca change!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Perth
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will be the first to agree RFDS pilots are worth at least as much as Nurses. They do a sterling job in difficult conditions.
Unfortunately you don't need a degree to be a pilot, but you need a degree plus possibly post graduate diplomas/experience to be a flight nurse.
Thus the Nurse commands a higher wage than the Pilot due to the base qualifications alone, regardless of the perceived worth of their respective duties. (both are equally worthy of considerable reward in my opinion)
Cheers!
Zhaadum.
Unfortunately you don't need a degree to be a pilot, but you need a degree plus possibly post graduate diplomas/experience to be a flight nurse.
Thus the Nurse commands a higher wage than the Pilot due to the base qualifications alone, regardless of the perceived worth of their respective duties. (both are equally worthy of considerable reward in my opinion)
Cheers!
Zhaadum.
Spot on Zhaadum,
RFDS nurses are some of the most experienced and highly qualified nurses in the country.
A wide variety of Diplomas and other qualifications far above those required by your garden variety nurse are absolutely mandatory. They need significant experience in Obstetrices, ER and general medicine to mention just a few.
While I am totally in support of the pilots claims here, lets not start trying to bring these angels of mercy down.
Unity is the only way to see this thing through, Good Luck boys and girls.
RFDS nurses are some of the most experienced and highly qualified nurses in the country.
A wide variety of Diplomas and other qualifications far above those required by your garden variety nurse are absolutely mandatory. They need significant experience in Obstetrices, ER and general medicine to mention just a few.
While I am totally in support of the pilots claims here, lets not start trying to bring these angels of mercy down.
Unity is the only way to see this thing through, Good Luck boys and girls.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria
Age: 62
Posts: 984
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Willie,
I don't think anyone here is trying to downplay the importance of the RFDS nurses in terms of qualifications and pay. I think everyone here agrees that the nurses are exceptionally well qualified and experienced and deserve every penny (and more) they get paid.
Although the pilots do not have a degree, they certainly do need a significant range of qualifications and experience (equivalent to a degree course, IMHO) - and for good reason too.
Amos2,
You're outta line mate! I do not consider an RFDS pilot an idiot merely because of what his or her pay is compared to others!
Good luck guys and girls!!
I don't think anyone here is trying to downplay the importance of the RFDS nurses in terms of qualifications and pay. I think everyone here agrees that the nurses are exceptionally well qualified and experienced and deserve every penny (and more) they get paid.
Although the pilots do not have a degree, they certainly do need a significant range of qualifications and experience (equivalent to a degree course, IMHO) - and for good reason too.
Amos2,
You're outta line mate! I do not consider an RFDS pilot an idiot merely because of what his or her pay is compared to others!
Good luck guys and girls!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: australia
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Update
We have had some progress with our negotiations.
RFDS management have sought a concilliatory hearing with the AIRC next Wednesday and have assured us in writing that they will negotiate on our disputed issues. What remains to be seen is to whether management will meet or even come to a compromise with the issues.
Management have requested that we lift the bans in place and in return they will not dock our pay.
An antagonistic member of managements negotiating team (the Aviation Manager) has been removed from further discussions.
We have had a meeting and all pilots have agreed to lift bans and we are hoping that we will make some progress with our claims.
On behalf of the pilot group I would like to thank all contributors who have sent supporting posts, emails of support to us and of course any Christmas wishes sent to the aforementioned email addresses of the RFDS!!!!
Just to put readers into perspective, the average experience of RFDS pilots in the central operations is around the 8000 hour mark, average service to the RFDS would be in the order of about 7 years with three pilots having served 25 years a piece and about seven or eight pilots with >10 years service.
We have had some progress with our negotiations.
RFDS management have sought a concilliatory hearing with the AIRC next Wednesday and have assured us in writing that they will negotiate on our disputed issues. What remains to be seen is to whether management will meet or even come to a compromise with the issues.
Management have requested that we lift the bans in place and in return they will not dock our pay.
An antagonistic member of managements negotiating team (the Aviation Manager) has been removed from further discussions.
We have had a meeting and all pilots have agreed to lift bans and we are hoping that we will make some progress with our claims.
On behalf of the pilot group I would like to thank all contributors who have sent supporting posts, emails of support to us and of course any Christmas wishes sent to the aforementioned email addresses of the RFDS!!!!
Just to put readers into perspective, the average experience of RFDS pilots in the central operations is around the 8000 hour mark, average service to the RFDS would be in the order of about 7 years with three pilots having served 25 years a piece and about seven or eight pilots with >10 years service.