Qantas pilots narrowly vote up new short haul pay deal worth 25 per cent more

Short haul pilots with Qantas have agreed to accept a new deal that will see them paid up to 25 per cent more and even when their flight is cancelled.

Qantas pilots have voted in favour of a new deal that will see them paid even when their flight is cancelled in what’s been described as a “fundamental shift” in their enterprise agreement.

60 per cent of the 750 short haul pilots employed by the airline backed the deal, after 64 per cent rejected the first offer from Qantas in October.

Although the new deal still includes a two-year wage freeze imposed by Qantas on all employee groups, pilots can expect to see increases of more than 25 per cent over the five-year life of the agreement.

The Australian and International Pilots Association which represents the majority of Qantas pilots, acknowledged there was a significant number who voted against the deal.

But AIPA president Andrew Marshall said it marked a fundamental shift in the way short haul members would be paid for their work.

“This agreement has taken a long time to reach because both sides recognised the need to improve pilot pay but Qantas blindly refused to drop its arbitrary wage freeze policy,” said Captain Marshall.

“The upside is that we have been able to achieve long-sought changes to the contract which shift the financial risk associated with the dynamic nature of the operation from the pilots back to the company.”

Qantas chief pilot Richard Tobiano said the agreement was the result of more than 18 months of negotiations, and he thanked pilots and their representatives for the time and effort they had put in.

“We’re pleased to reach an agreement with our short-haul pilots that addresses ongoing feedback around pay and rostering while providing a sustainable future for our business,” said Captain Tobiano.

Qantas pilots have voted in favour of a new short haul agreement that will deliver about 25 per cent more pay over the life of the deal.

AIPA vice president for short haul members, Steve Cornell, said it was now up to Qantas to implement the structural changes contained in the agreement, in a timely manner.

“Doing so will be a tangible demonstration of their commitment to improving the relationship and rebuilding trust between management and the pilot group,” said Captain Cornell.

The base pay increases are zero for 2023 and 2024, and 3 per cent for each of the next three years, totalling 9 per cent.

However all who sign on to the deal will be rewarded with a $5000 payment, and be upgraded a year in service, which is worth another 2.5 per cent.

Captain Cornell said the other changes delivered total increases of about 25 per cent for most pilots, and as much as 27 per cent for first officers, who typically earn less than captains.

These include payments for “reserve” or when they are on standby to work due to disruption or illness; and a “pattern credit guarantee” ensuring they do not lose pay for any disruption.

There is also a higher minimum guaranteed hour payment of 60 hours, instead of 53 hours and 24 minutes in a 28 day roster.

“This deal secures pilots’ first pay rise in more than two years due to the wage freeze imposed by Qantas,” noted Captain Cornell.

The new agreement would take effect seven days after approval by the Fair Work Commission, and expire at the end of August, 2028.

It follows a similarly generous deal secured by Virgin Australia pilots, delivering as much as $60,000 more pay over three years.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson will deliver the airline’s half year results on Thursday with another bumper profit expected on the back of strong demand and high fares.

Originally published as Qantas pilots narrowly vote up new short haul pay deal worth 25 per cent more