Qantas’s long-haul and international pilots have backed potential industrial action over pay and conditions, but the latest development is a provisional agreement between the airline and the Australian and International Pilots Association that could avert strikes. The dispute centres on the carrier’s international flying operations, with negotiations in Sydney and conciliation at the Fair Work Commission shaping the next step for the parties.
Pilots approved a protected action ballot covering measures including 24-hour stoppages and delayed sign-ons after years of talks on pay, rostering and leave. Support for the ballot ranged from 76% to 88% across the different proposals, underlining the level of frustration within the group.
Qantas and the union are now working to formalise the in-principle deal, which is expected to include higher pay, improved rostering and clearer career progression. The agreement would reduce the risk of disruption to Qantas’s international network, which relies on long-haul crews for scheduled services across key overseas routes.