Qantas Not Expecting Flight Delays or Cancellations from Strike

Qantas has been informed by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) that long-haul pilots will take industrial action from this Friday, 22 July 2011, including making union announcements to passengers over the in-flight public address system.

The airline said it is assessing the implications of the work bans but does not expect any flight delays or cancellations.

The dispute is about the pilots’ union attempting to force all Qantas subsidiaries including Jetstar, to pay the same high rates as Qantas. The union is also demanding pay increases and free flights on top of already heavily discounted airfares.

This claim is actually a requirement that pilots flying for all Qantas affiliate airlines, including Jetstar and Jetconnect, are either paid the same premium rates and working conditions as Qantas pilots or that Qantas stop flying codeshare flights with other airlines within the Qantas Group. The claim from AIPA includes:

- So called ‘job security’ claim;
- 2.5% increases in wages each year for the next three years;
- New classification table which would lock in pay rates for aircraft that are not yet part of the Qantas fleet;
- 2 free of charge international economy tickets each year (upgradeable to First), in addition to already heavily discounted airfares;
- Qantas to fund two full time union officials at a cost of up to $1 million per year; and
- Discounted Qantas Club membership for pilots and their families.

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