Qantas FIFO pilots in WA have threatened a new two-day strike on Wednesday and Thursday after renewed talks over a pay deal broke down.
However, the Australian Federation of Air Pilots will on Monday undertake mediation with subsidiary Network Aviation in a bid to break the deadlock.
Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazinesQantas said the new action amounts to an “unreasonable escalation of the dispute” and has previously argued its pay offer would include an immediate 25 per cent pay increase.
The strike next week will be the second taken by the union, after a one-day stoppage earlier this month.
On Friday, the AFAP said Qantas had put forward a new “sub-standard” pay offer that was rejected by 90 per cent of employees.
The union also accused the Flying Kangaroo of cutting it out of negotiations and not seeking its endorsement first.
“It is disappointing that there has not been any indication in the last four weeks that Qantas management might shift its position to bring its WA-based pilots’ wages and conditions into line with those of other Qantas Group pilots,” said the AFAP’s Chris Aikens.
“Unfortunately, our members at Network Aviation now have no other option but to give notice for lawful protected industrial action.”
Aikens added Qantas had “shifted the responsibility” to the Fair Work Commission, who will oversee Monday’s mediation meeting.
Network Aviation operates more than 300 weekly flights, with regular services from Perth Airport and charter flights for mining, corporates, and emergency freight.
It was bought by Qantas in 2010 and operates a fleet of more than 30 aircraft.
The last strike action saw more than 99 per cent of AFAP pilot members vote to take industrial action. In total, 209 of the 211 AFAP members eligible to participate submitted a vote.
Network Aviation pilots are currently paid under a 2016 agreement that expired three years ago and includes starting salaries of $175,000 for captains and $107,000 for first officers.
The airline’s chief operating officer, Trevor Worgan, previously attacked the union for going ahead with the strike.
“Our offer provides Network Aviation pilots up to 25 per cent pay increases immediately and other benefits, but the union is demanding unreasonable increases of more than 50 per cent,” said Worgan.
The news of fresh action comes despite the AFAP cancelling its last planned strike in a bid to negotiate a deal.
