Pilots union to vote on Jetstar strike action ahead of Christmas
The busy holiday period could be thrown into chaos, as Jetstar pilots prepare to strike over pay and rostering conditions after long-running discussions broke down.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Pilots for budget airline Jetstar could walk off the job before Christmas after relations soured over a new workplace agreement.
The Fair Work Commission has ticked off on plans by the pilot’s union to hold a vote on taking protected industrial action against the company.
If successful, strikes and other tactics, such as refusing to work overtime, could start to impact Jetstar services during the busy holiday period.
Australian Federation of Air Pilots executive director Simon Lutton said negotiations had been running for almost a year.
“But the company remains unwilling to shift on any of the pilot’s pay and conditions such as rostering,” he said.
“Despite our willingness to continue to meet and work towards reaching an agreement, the company has refused to move sufficiently to address the pilots’ concerns.
“The pilots remain committed to a mutually-agreed resolution on the outstanding pay and conditions claims under discussion and look forward to the next bargaining meeting scheduled for 29 November.”
MORE NEWS
NEW RUNWAY TO TAKE OFF BY 2025
GROCERY PICK-UP SERVICE TAKES OFF AT MELBOURNE AIRPORT
MELBOURNE FAMILIES BOOTED OFF BALI FLIGHT
“Jetstar pilots simply want to be valued fairly in line with their peers at other airlines.”
The AFAP believes Jetstar pilots are poorly paid compared to other airlines, with negotiations souring over the past month.
It is understood the company offered a 3 per cent pay rise year on year and believes the unions demand would increase spending pilots by as much as 15 per cent.
A Jetstar spokesman said: “It is disappointing that the AFAP has taken this step this early in negotiations.
“We remain committed to reaching a new agreement to support the great work our people do every day, but not any cost.”