Missing luggage and online orders under threat as Qantas freighter pilots vote on strikes

More than 100 Qantas freighter pilots, who spend only six hours a week flying, are threatening strike action as they fight for greater pay and more days off.

More than 100 Qantas freighter pilots are threatening to take industrial action which could disrupt the delivery of goods bought online, along with mishandled baggage and medical supplies.

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots and the Transport Workers Union have both filed protected action ballots at Express Freighters Australia after receiving what they call a “sub-par offer” from Qantas.

Both unions said the offer would reduce the freighter pilots to the “bottom of the industry” at a time when Qantas was highly profitable.

Qantas defended the offer, saying it had a significant pay increases for a group of pilots who averaged just six hours of flying a week.

TWU national assistant secretary Emily McMillan said the proposal was an insult and at odds with recent rhetoric from the airline.

“Last week Qantas was in the Federal Court saying it had changed its appalling attitude towards its workforce but we’re still seeing no sign of it,” Ms McMillan said.

“It’s time for Qantas to come to the bargaining table with a fair offer that reflects the industry standard and improves work-life balance for pilots under significant pressure.”

AFAP executive director Simon Lutton said Qantas had employed a “combative approach” to negotiations with the freighter pilots, threatening to take away back pay if the new agreement were met with resistance.

In response, the pilots were sending the company “a clear and unequivocal message that its offer was simply nowhere near good enough and they were prepared to fight for more”, he said.

“Overall it seems to us Qantas has not changed its industrial relations approach at all,” Mr Lutton said. His union represents about 80 of the pilots concerned.

“We requested enterprise bargaining commence in June 2024 when it became apparent that the salaries provided under the current EFA agreement were about to fall below the award salary.

“EFA management refused this request and bargaining finally began in January.

“To say we were extremely disappointed with the proposal that the company finally put to the pilots on May 14 is an enormous understatement.”

A Qantas A330 being loaded with freight.

Ms McMillan said the pilots were asking for fair pay and conditions, including improvements to roster conditions and days off.

It’s understood most freighter pilots worked an average of six hours a week.

A Qantas spokeswoman said it was disappointing the unions had filed protection action ballots, rather than continuing discussions.

“We’re bargaining in good faith for a new agreement and recently put forward a proposal that includes significant pay increases and other benefits for our freighter pilots,” she said.

“It’s our preference to reach an agreement that supports our freight pilots and ensures a sustainable business.”

The spokeswoman said the company would work on contingency plans in the meantime, to ensure Express Freighters could continue to move critical airfreight, “should industrial action eventuate”.

As well as medical supplies and fresh produce, the dedicated freighter aircraft helped return mishandled bags to Qantas passengers and carried online shopping deliveries.

The business complements Qantas passenger flights, which also transport cargo in the belly of aircraft such as A380s, A330s, 737s and 787s.

Any strike action by the pilots could only take place if the protected action ballot were supported by a majority and approved by the Fair Work Commission, under a process which was likely to take several weeks.

Originally published as Missing luggage and online orders under threat as Qantas freighter pilots vote on strikes