Qantas long-haul pilots have rejected a new enterprise deal that would have given them a 25 per cent pay rise over four years.
The deal, which was backed by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), would have covered around 1,700 Qantas A330, A380 and 787 pilots, and would have replaced the previous deal which expired in 2024. About two-thirds of pilots voted against it.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, Become a member today!
A monthly membership is just $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
See benefits
-
Australian aviation quarterly print and digital magazines -
Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
MOST POPULAR
PRINTING + DIGITAL
See benefits
-
Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content -
Access to the Australian Aviation app -
Australian aviation quarterly print and digital magazines -
Access to In Focus reports every month on our website -
Access to our behind-the-lens photo galleries and other exclusive content -
Daily news updates via our email newsletter.
DIGITAL
See benefits
-
Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content -
Access to the Australian Aviation app -
Australian aviation quarterly print and digital magazines -
Access to In Focus reports every month on our website -
Access to our behind-the-lens photo galleries and other exclusive content -
Daily news updates via our email newsletter.
“The majority of Qantas long-haul pilots have voted against accepting the proposed enterprise agreement,” AIPA president Captain Andrew Marshall confirmed in a statement.
“AIPA will now consult with our members to fully understand where the deficiencies lie and seek a revised agreement that addresses those concerns. I remain confident that we will ultimately be able to reach an agreement that satisfies both parties.”
Despite support from AIPA, which represents around 85 per cent of Qantas long-haul pilots, the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP), which represents the remainder, had advised against accepting the offer, saying it “did not meet the standard required after years of concessions”, as it reported in The Australian.
“Despite pressure from the company to vote yes, pilots have made it clear that this deal does not meet the standard they expect and deserve,” said AFAP chief executive Simon Lutton.
“The increases offered are unlikely to match inflation over the life of the deal, meaning pilots would be set back in real terms and continue to face rising costs of living.”
Australian Aviation understands the offer included improvements to staffing and work-life balance, as well as changes to drive career progression. Cam Wallace, chief executive of Qantas International and Freight, said the rejection of the deal was “disappointing” for Flying Kangaroo.
“We submitted an agreement with the support of the main union that offered significant pay increases as well as long-sought changes to conditions,” he said.
“We will now take time to determine our next steps, especially given the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. We remain committed to reaching an agreement with our long-haul pilots that provides pay increases while ensuring Qantas International remains competitive.”
Qantas short-haul pilots last year approved a deal increasing salaries by nine per cent over three years after a two-year freeze.
