Pilot Industrial Action in Townsville?

[TopTup]

Just heard from a mate who knows a mate..... that a company based in Townsville is facing pilot industrial action, or at least a "work to rule" situation. That's all I've heard and wondering if anyone knows more. Tried looking up the Townsville Bulletin online but nothing mentioned.

Which company? Why? Any news??

[aussie.pilot..]

EBA action

There is something in today's Townsville paper.

Just saying that pilots are unhappy with the current arrangments that they are working to ie. CAO48 exemptions.

Also looking for a pay rise.

[R.Cruizo]

I heard that too. Not the 1st time that company has had problems sadly.

[globallocal]

use to work for them, its been an ongoing issue even before i got there in may 05. its just taken this long to come to a head with the EBA offered from mang that was rejected twice buy the pilots. Mang don't give a rats about the pilots, but the pilots are the face of the company when they are not in the ville,isa, cs or vegas. I've seen many a guy smiling through clenched teeth at the pax when at domagee, MTI and the rest!! but mang never see that do they.

Go hard boys!!!! and girl!!

[TopTup]

Just discovered which company we are talking about - I know I'm a bit slow. Have had mates work for them in the past. Want to be called, labelled and advertise as an AIRLINE but pay under the GA award, not the Regional Airline Award at the very least. I thought they had an EBA in place? Not from what Globallocal has written?

Look after your staff and your staff will look after you. Staff happy = never mind going the extra yard = customers happy = improved productivity I always thought anyway.

Industrial action is the last resort and let's hope it doesn't come to that - for everyone's sake. It's a pretty cut throat market in the environment they are working in. I bet there are more than a few carriers sitting back in the wings putting in place some "what if" plans.

[Reverseflowkeroburna]

Good luck guys & gals!

Believe in yourselves and what you are worth.

[Defenestrator]

Sorry to hear that it has come to this. Good luck guys/girls. You are most definately worth the applicable award for your efforts. Sadly it is not appreciated that a company is only as good as it's employees allow it to be. In your case it's only the way it is because of your efforts at the 'coal face'.
Stick together and be reasonable. I doubt you'll receive much civility in return however.
Best Wishes

D

[Zhaadum]

For Chrissake, will someone have the guts to actually say the company name in question? I can'/t stand the innuendo... Let everyone else outside Townsville know what/who you are talking about.

[globallocal]

SMACKAIR. there is no other Regional in townsville that employes that many pilots.

[nuhgoobala]

Food for thought

The news paper articles have been partially correct....apart from the work up to 18 hours a day. A CAO 48 exemption has been in place for some time, yet is a deal between CASA and the company and not with the company and the flightcrew. This allows for 16 hours of duty, with a 4 hour break. This is only one of the issues. Firstly, the company is family owned, and frontfaced by 1 man, initially partnered with a notable freight carrier in Brisbane, but not now. Offers have been made from larger NSW, and PNG operators for buyout, but have been rejected. It is marketted and operates RPT as well as charter, and as the "Largest Regional Airline in QLD", yet remunerated under the GA award for the weight capacity. The pilot body has been in negotiation as the company has evolved for the last 2 years for an honest mutual EBA, since well before the Prime Minister took it upon him self to inflict fear on the nation regarding their future, especially in this industry, where internal division and competition is savage. Company delaying and political games have occured reitterating their lack of willingness to negotiate. The body even out of good will offered that they would acknowledge the perhaps affordability of the owner, and meet half way between Regional Award and the GA. Bearing in mind that the airline in Q operates on the same capacity and with the same types as the predominate Saab and Metro NSW operator, who pay the Regional Award. It can be argued that the QLD airline operates charters and is therefore subject to the GA award, but so does the NSW counterpart as well as QF and the likes, and all also operate predominately RPT. Issues of geography and lifestyle have been used in negotiations when comparisons are made, but are counter offered with now below GA award standards and conditions. Management have mentioned that if crew are not happy with the conditions, then they should seek employment where their needs are met. These comments and not mentioned in this forum autrocities should be considered by the new hires as this transient airline will no doubt be seeking many pilots soon as crew take their management's advice. Further advice should be to read very carefully the conditions and consider those who follow you when you accept your new employment contract.

[Reverseflowkeroburna]

Don't look now..................but could this be a chance for Aussie pilots to show a bit of solidarity????

Also, the more publicity that you guys can give to your cause, might just mean a reduced number of newbies knocking on the door if you do have to "seek an employer that meet's your needs!"

Where does the relevant union body stand on this?

Again, good luck!

[aussie.pilot..]

I for one am sick and tired of pilots in this country undercutting each other just to fly something bigger and better. It sets the whole industry back years just so a few people can get ahead. The most recent example is Natjet and J*.

We all need to stick together to get the industry back to an acceptable level.

Aussie Expats overseas are looking at us and laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

anyway thats my two cents.



Aussie

[404 Titan]

aussie.pilot..

I wouldn’t say it makes me laugh. It saddens me really.

[you'll be right son]

I know a few guys in this company and some of the antics that I've heard management are performing, its very disappointing.

You guys deserve much more!!

[Reverseflowkeroburna]

I know a few guys in this company and some of the antics that I've heard management are performing, its very disappointing.

Well c'mon you'll be right, help the guys & gals drum up some support by sharing these "rumours" of "management tactics!"
This is after all a "Rumour Network!"

[JetA_OK]

Offers have been made from larger NSW, and PNG operators for buyout

Who told you that?

[snoop doggy dog]

Had some mates that worked for Horizon. The boys there stuck together and kept their EBA in tact.

Didn't they give it to Crapair when they were asked to take it up the .... ?

Also heard back then that the Townsville guys had the opportunity to have the Horizon guys help them out. Obviously, they didn't take the offer of help.

There is always strength in unity. However, in aviation that's a difficult thing it seems.

[JetA_OK]

Did the Horizon guys a lot of good didn't it Snoop Dog

[snoop doggy dog]

You must be in the know too JET !

The Horizon guys got nice payouts and the right to work wit Crapair for one or two years after they finished in Sydney.

I wonder why most of the Horizon guys didn't go and work for Crapair in Townsville on their Horizon conditions after their payouts ? But you would know that from reading their EBA. Ahh, that's right, most are flying for good operators now..................

[onya]

I wonder why most of the Horizon guys didn't go and work for Crapair in Townsville on their Horizon conditions after their payouts ?

For the same reasons that most of the M acair guys didn't want to go to fly for Horizon. They worked in TL cos they liked TL. Ditto for the Horizon crew WRT Sydney. And WTF has any of this got to do with a company that imploded and was rescued by the NQ operator in question. When it became aparent that Horizon was a sinking if not stinking ship (no offence meant to any of the former crews....mostly very capable drivers) it was essentially liquidated and offers of continuation of employment with the parent company were made to many. Obviously some positions were not transferable. Sure, Horizon had an EBA. So does a heap of other airlines around OZ. And the relevance to the M acair situation is?
Keep it real guys. Don't dredge up all this historical crap. It only inflames an otherwise civil discussion and achieves little.