Key Points
- Australian Federation of Air Pilots union members working for Network Aviation and QantasLink in WA are on strike.
- The pilots have been negotiating with Qantas Group for 18 months to replace a pay deal that expired in 2020.
- Further strike action on Saturday, Sunday and Monday will extend the rolling strikes to six consecutive days.
The union initially announced a two-day work stoppage before increasing it to three days and then six days, saying “we are seeing Qantas at its worst showing total disdain for its pilots and the travelling public.”
It’s the third time regional travellers and workers flying on Network Aviation have been impacted by the ongoing dispute, with resources companies saying some workers had been forced to remain on site hundreds of kilometres from their homes.
Network Aviation and QantasLink pilots in WA will strike over stalled wage talks. Source: AAP / Supplied
The federation’s senior industrial officer Chris Aikens said pilots felt they had no other option and were angered by the airline walking away from negotiations.
“The contingency plans mean that more than 80 per cent of Network Aviation customers will travel on the same day they were booked to travel,” a spokeswoman said.
“Contingency plans are in place to minimise disruptions, including re-booking onto alternate services, charter services and overnighting,” a spokeswoman said.
More than 90 per cent of its 250-plus pilots are members of the pilots federation.