Regional Express wins case over intimidation charges

Regional Express wins case over intimidation charges

A case brought against Regional Express over controversial claims has ruled in favour of the carrier.

The High Court has cleared Regional Express of claims it contravened the Fair Work Act, following legal action by the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) over letters sent in 2014 to cadets.

In the letter, obtained by The Australian, cadets were asked to “acknowledge the privilege” of working at Regional Express and “commit to paying back to the company by being fiercely loyal and company-minded and by going above and beyond the call of duty especially in times of need by the company”.

According to the AFAP, which put forward concerns to the court five years ago, the letter constituted “adverse action, coercion and misrepresentation under the Fair Work Act, and should be retracted with Rex ordered to pay civil penalties”.

Rex opposed the AFAP in the High Court on the grounds cadets were not members of the association, but the regional carrier was ultimately defeated.

Further examples highlighted by the AFAP from the letter include the instance of cadets urged to stay at local motels rather than more basic academy accommodation during simulator training, which comes at a cost to the company of an extra $100 a night.

“For us at Rex, pure technical skills alone are not enough,” the letter said, as reported by The Australian.

“You should be aware the Rex Group considers such cadets to be totally lacking in integrity and the Rex Group will not allow any pilot lacking in integrity to hold a command.”

The AFAP also highlighted Rex’s controversial demand that prospective cadets provide a handwritten “solemn promise to give back to the company by volunteering to undertake various activities and actions”.

However, after a reported three days of hearings in Melbourne in October, Federal Circuit Court judge Karl Blake ruled in favour of Rex late last week.

He said the emphasis on integrity was “unexceptional” given the cost of pilot training. AFAP is reportedly reviewing the decision.

Featured image: Regional Express Airlines (VH-PRX) Saab 340B taxiing at Wagga Wagga Airport (Bidgee)

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]