Jetstar is on a collision course with its pilots group over plans to offshore some of its flying operations, with a meeting of pilots in Sydney on August 23 passing a no confidence motion against CEO Bruce Buchanan and also backing a go-slow and other action against the airline.
The vote of no confidence was made at a meeting organised by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) which also was attended by Qantas and Virgin Blue pilots to address recent changes to Flight Standing Orders at Jetstar. AIPA says that the changes threatens the conditions of all Australian pilots by allowing the airline to employ pilots from overseas on conditions that are lower than the airline’s current enterprise bargaining agreement. The pilots are also opposed to plans to base more aircraft in Singapore as part of the airline’s long haul expansion.
A resolution was also passed which called for Jetstar management to negotiate a new agreement which would cover “the entire Jetstar pilot group negotiating their terms and conditions on an international collective basis, regardless of where they operate from in all current and planned Jetstar bases throughout the world.”
According to some reports, Jetstar pilots are looking at taking some industrial action over the next month. Some pilots are expected to initiate go-slows to disrupt the airline’s schedule, while pilots may also refuse to do overtime or be called out on their days off.
