Qantas short-haul pilots approve new deal

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) is pleased to have secured pay rises in excess of 25% over five years for Qantas mainline short-haul pilots following the approval of a new Enterprise Agreement today. 

AIPA’s President, Captain Andrew Marshall, said the new deal marks a fundamental shift in the way that short haul members will be paid for work.

“This agreement has taken a long time to reach because both sides recognised the need to improve pilot pay but Qantas blindly refused to drop its arbitrary wage freeze policy,” said Captain Marshall.

“The upside is that we have been able to achieve long-sought changes to the contract which shift the financial risk associated with the dynamic nature of the operation from the pilots back to the Company.”

AIPA recognises that whilst the EA was endorsed by a majority of pilots, there were a significant number who voted against the deal. 

Vice President Short Haul, Captain Steve Cornell, who was part of the negotiating team, said:

“It now falls to Qantas to implement the structural changes contained within this new agreement in a timely manner. Doing so will be a tangible demonstration of their commitment to improving the relationship and rebuilding trust between management and the pilot group.”

Under the new deal, First Officers - who earn less than captains - will receive the greatest pay rises. 

“This deal secures pilots’ first pay rise in more than two years due to the wage freeze imposed by Qantas,” said Captain Cornell.

The Agreement will operate from 7 days after approval by the Fair Work Commission and has a nominal expiry date of 31 August 2028. 

AIPA now looks forward to reaching agreement with the Company on a new EA for the Long Haul pilot group.

Background

The agreement was supported by 60% of short-haul pilots.

The proposed deal involves an estimated remuneration increase of  25% over five years, made up of:

• Wage increases of nine per cent over the term of the five-year deal. 01 Sep 2023 - 0%, 01 Sep 2024 – 0%, 01 Sep 2025 – 3%, 01 Sep 2026 – 3%, 01 Sep 2027 – 3%. 

• Pattern credit guarantee - In a fundamental shift, pilots will now not lose pay for any disruption or change from two calendar days prior to a pattern commencing, until the end of the pattern

• Pilots will now be paid for reserve - when they are on standby to work due to disruption or illness

• A higher minimum guaranteed hour payment per 28-day roster, increased from 53:24 to 60hrs

• A minimum duty period credit of 60 per cent for any duty worked (a ten-hour shift will now attract six hours credit, for example, regardless of how much flying is done)

AIPA represents the majority of pilots employed by the Qantas Group pilots.

There are approximately 750 short-haul pilots.

Qantas Short Haul Pilots operate the Boeing 737 (and soon the Airbus A321) on domestic and regional international flights.

The previous EA expired on 31 August 2023.