Qantas pilots strike in WA, more than 50 flights cancelled

Pilots of Qantas-owned Network Aviation have walked off the job in a push for pay rises, resulting in the cancellation of over 50 flights.

Qantas-owned Network Aviation pilots are striking over a new pay deal.

Thousands of West Australian travellers have had flights cancelled or disrupted after more than 200 pilots employed by Qantas-owned Network Aviation walked off the job.

210 members of the Australian Federation of Air Pilots voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over stalled negotiations for a new pay deal.

Qantas claimed the pilots had been offered pay increases of up to 25 per cent “immediately” but their union was pushing for “unreasonable increases of more than 50 per cent”.

It was understood the pay rates sought by the AFAP would have pushed entry level pilots’ income to over $200,000 and captains to almost $400,000.

Australian Federation of Air Pilots senior industrial officer Chris Aikens said they were disappointed to have had to take such action but could see no other alternative.

“Negotiations on an expired enterprise agreement have been at a standstill since March, leaving most Network Aviation pilots with wages and conditions that are well below industry standards,” Mr Aikens said.

“Many of these pilots earn less that what is included in the Air Pilots Award which is the bare legal minimum.”

He said the Network Aviation pilots were “simply asking for something that is affordable and sustainable for the company and its workforce”.

It’s understood Network Aviation has seen a significant number of pilots leave in the last year, to take up jobs in the US where airlines were paying handsome sign-on bonuses.

Qantas said AFAP had agreed to return to the negotiating table but noted it was “too late for thousands of West Australians” disrupted by the industrial action.

A statement from the airline said about 75 per cent of customers booked on more than 50 cancelled flights had been moved to other services on the same day.

Those no longer wishing to travel could request a full refund.

Qantas had redeployed a number of 737s from its domestic operations to fly some of the intrastate flights, and was also using aircraft from other charter operators such as Alliance.

Network Aviation chief operating officer Trevor Worgan said it was disappointing the pilots were continuing with their disruptive strike action which was “timed to hurt travellers during the busy school holiday period”.

“We’ve protected as much flying as we possibly can, but unfortunately our contingency options can only cover part of our regular schedule and we have had to cancel dozens of flights,” Mr Worgan said.

“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.”

An AFAP spokeswoman denied the increases being sought by pilots was more than 50 per cent. Network Aviation pilots last had a pay rise in 2019, and were estimated to earn between $5000 and $10,000 less a month than their Qantas mainline peers.