New pilot union launched following TWU and VIPA merger

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has launched a new pilots division resulting from a merger with Virgin Independent Pilot’s Association.

TWU Pilots has vowed to address job security, safety concerns around rostering and fatigue management, and pay and conditions which the union has identified as the biggest concerns facing pilots according to a recent survey.

The survey asked pilot members from both unions working across multiple companies about their greatest concerns to be prioritised by the TWU Pilots division and its members.

Overwhelmingly, pilots are concerned about the safety implications of rostering practices, with 92 per cent listing roster instability as a key concern, 88 per cent saying they’re concerned about fatigue management, and more than half saying roster uncertainty is pressuring pilots to work while tired or unfit to fly.

The other top concerns were pay conditions (95 per cent), insecure work (89 per cent), outsourcing (87 per cent) and mental health (79 per cent)

According to TWU, Qantas Group pilots have expressed concerns about being pressured to sign onto substandard agreements under duress through threats of outsourcing.

Of the 150 pilots who participated in the survey, 79 per cent have been a pilot for more than 20 years. Several commented that industry conditions are the lowest they’ve ever experienced.

One pilot said: “Very few pilots would view this as a sustainable career in the long term anymore. We have no job security, are asked to work more for less and have no control of our lives due to rostering practices.”

Another commented: “Morale is at an all-time low. The pandemic is being used as an excuse to erode wages and conditions that have taken over 20 years to achieve.”

“In 20 years in aviation I have never encountered the issues as bad as are currently presenting themselves – in all departments across the airport,” A third said.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine commented that the launch of TWU Pilots which draws upon the TWU’s aviation campaigning strength and VIPA’s expert pilot knowledge and industrial experience.

“Recent attacks on job security and underhanded tactics by Qantas to suppress pay and conditions show how crucial it is for pilots to come together like never before and lead the charge for good, secure jobs,” Kaine said.

“Bringing pilots into the TWU means all aviation workers benefit from the might of collectivism, from the ground and baggage room right through to the flight deck, giving aviation workers the best opportunity to lift standards across the industry.

“The survey shows that pilots are struggling like other aviation workers trapped in a race to the bottom, exacerbated by illegal outsourcing and strongarm schemes under the Joyce regime.

“The results show workers continue to bear the brunt of aviation’s peaks and troughs while profit-fanatic executives draw bonuses and exorbitant salaries. We need a Commission to rebalance aviation, support good jobs, and ensure Australians can always rely on safe and secure skies.”

Warwick Renton, who has been appointed as TWU Pilots’ general manager, added that despite being pursued as a secure and prosperous job for life, being a pilot has become less desirable due to insecure working conditions and the threat of outsourcing.

Renton said safety has been impacted by maxed-out and unstable rostering, making it near impossible to manage fatigue, make plans with family or even book medical appointments.

“We are committed to reversing this downward trend and the work has already begun. Today, pilots are meeting to forge the way ahead to lift standards across the sector,” Renton said.

The TWU and other aviation unions recently criticised a conditional $5,000 payment announced by Qantas as the airline attempting to buy workers’ silence and compliance over shoddy wage freeze deals.

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Michael Kaine pilot qantas survey Transport Workers Union twu Virgin Independent Pilots Association wage freeze Warwick Renton