Pilot’s union announces Tigerair aviators will strike on January 25

Holiday-makers set to embark on Australia Day travel plans may face delays, as pilots from a major airline plan to stop work for four hours this week amid an industrial stoush between the airline and the pilot’s union.

Tigerair Australia flights may be impacted by a strike on Friday. Picture: Supplied

Pilots with Tigerair will stop work for four hours this week as an industrial stoush between the airline and the pilot’s union heats up.

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots have announced aviators will strike this Friday, just as thousands of holiday-makers are embarking on Australia Day travel plans.

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Pilots with Tigerair will stop work for four hours this week. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The stoppage will from 5am to 9am on January 25 and pilots will also refuse to fly aircraft with minor defects, that are not safety related, from January 26 to 28.

It is not yet clear how many services will be impacted by the strike.

The stoush is centred over a new enterprise bargaining agreement for workers, with the AFAP claiming the negotiations have run for more than two years.

The union represents 75 per cent of aviators employed with Tigerair and says they have not received any pay increase over this period.

The AFAP’s senior industrial officer, James Lauchland, said flight disruptions were likely.

“The decision to take engage in a work stoppage was not made lightly,” he said.

“Tigerair pilots fly the same aircraft as their counterparts at Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas but this is not reflected in their employment conditions.

“The current agreement is well below industry standards, both in terms of pay and conditions. Tigerair pilots are simply looking for a fair deal.”

“Tigerair insists on finding savings in return for our claims for industry standard pay and conditions.”

Mr Lauchland said the union had given the airline more than the two days notice required by law for legal industrial action.

“We hope this allows Tigerair’s management to put contingencies in place to minimise inconvenience to passengers.”