‘Strike breaking’ Qantas pilots labelled scabs as union urges against flying in the west

A union is warning Qantas pilots against operating ‘strike breaking’ flights in the west during six days of industrial action.

Qantas Network Aviation pilots are midway through a six-day strike.

Striking pilots in the west are targeting those being called in to cover their shifts with memes referring to “scab labour” as their union urges other pilots in the Qantas group to refuse the work.

A post under the name of Civil Aviation Meme Authority and shared widely by pilots featured a Qantaslink aircraft and the words “POV (point of view): you’re interviewing the QLink scabs who flew a Q400 across the country because they have no morals”.

Pilots employed by the Qantas-owned Network Aviation are in the midst of a six-day strike, as part of their fight to be paid on the same terms as others in the airline.

In a letter to members outside of Network Aviation, the Australian Federation of Air Pilots said the “move by Qantas to relocate some Dash 8 aircraft over to Perth was a clear attempt to break the unity” shown by the striking pilots.

“Your AFAP reps urge you not to volunteer for this strike breaking tactic if you are approached by the company to operate over in Perth,” said the letter from AFAP’s Eastern Pilot Council Committee.

“Remember the only real way a pilot could be utilised to operate over in Perth would be if they had multiple consecutive reserves.”

The letter went on to say pilots should support their Network colleagues who had been “brave enough to stand up to bullying and intimidation”.

“Send them messages of support and DON’T volunteer or accept roster changes,” the letter said.

Qantas has sent three Boeing 737s to Western Australia to help minimise disruption from the strike, which has resulted in dozens of flight cancellations.

The airline was also using charter aircraft and pilots from other companies to do the work of the Network Aviation pilots, who normally operate FIFO and charter flights as well as regular public transport services.

Qantas is using aircraft and pilots from other parts of its business to help minimise disruption from industrial action in Western Australia. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

The dispute is now the subject of an intractable bargaining application to the Fair Work Commission, after three offers made by Qantas to the pilots were rejected.

On two occasions, unions were in favour of the offers but the pilots narrowly voted them down, in a bid to be paid the same as 737 pilots.

Qantas claimed if the latest offer was accepted, most junior pilots would be paid 14 per cent more than the modern award.

Network Aviation pilots were expected to return to work on Tuesday and the matter was scheduled to go before the Fair Work Commission next month.

A statement by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA said thousands of workers and members of the community relied on regional flight services to do their jobs and return home as planned.

“Any disruption to regional services can have far-reaching impacts for families and local businesses, resulting in roster changes and a level of uncertainty that can affect employee wellbeing,” said the chamber.