#qantas #qantaslink #networkaviation #broomeflights
The union representing striking regional Western Australian pilots said Qantas was taking an "arrogant and intimidating" approach to ongoing negotiations. Highlights Flights to many regional centers and mining sites canceled Flights to multiple regional hubs and mining sites canceled Regional pilots paid up to 50 per cent less than mainline Qantas colleagues, union says Union says regional pilots are paid up to 50 per cent less than their mainline Qantas counterparts Qantas immediately offered a 25 per cent pay rise and says the union's demands are unreasonable Pilots flying for Network Aviation, Qantas subsidiary operating under the QantasLink banner WA, staged a 24-hour strike action on Wednesday in response to what they said was complete breakdown negotiations with the airline. The move has thrown school holiday travel between Perth and many regional communities into chaos, with mining companies scrambling to provide alternative flights for the state's in-and-out workforce. Qantas said on Wednesday about half of its regional flights were canceled and about 3,500 customers had booked other flights. Australian Air Pilots Federation spokesman Chris Aikens said the airline had given pilots no choice. Qantas flights to and from Broome , Karratha, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder were affected by Wednesday's strike. "I don't know any of our pilots who are happy to take strike action today," he said. “They feel the pain of the people affected by this. “They have been pushed into a corner by Qantas, an employer that is both arrogant and intimidating.” FIFO workers were affected by the strike. 'Inherently unfair' One pilot, who asked not to be identified for fear of losing his job, said the feeling among employees was bleak. “Pilots are being threatened and intimidated by Qantas management in an unprecedented way,” they said. Mr Aikens said pay and conditions for pilots flying for Network were 40-50 per cent worse than mainline Qantas pilots, despite receiving the same training and doing same job. Pay rates may vary depending on experience, route and aircraft operated; The network currently flies the Airbus A320 and Fokker 100. Under base award rate for regional airlines, captain of Airbus A320 earns $88.71 per hour, while captain of smaller Fokker 100 earns $84.91. Co-pilots earn $58.36 per hour at Airbus and $56.00 per hour at Fokker. Mr Aikens said the airline had mischaracterized its request to move away from award rates as a request for pay parity with its mainline workforce. “We will never get to the same level, but we think that is inherently unfair,” Mr. Aikens said. “Pay and conditions are so low that Qantas in particular is not making huge profits.” But hopes of a new approach under Qantas' new chief executive Vanessa Hudson have been dashed, he said, and company has sent "threatening letters" to staff warning them they will lose established terms if they do not accept th
