QantasLink pilots expected to strike next week, disrupting potential four flights to, from Geraldton Airport

Qantas’ Geraldton route as well as its flights to FIFO hotspots will be impacted when pilots stop flying for 24 hours next week in a bid to negotiate a better pay deal.

Pilots will stop work for a 24 hours on Wednesday, October 4, a move which could affect more than 50 flights including Qantas Link routes from Perth to regional WA including Geraldton, Exmouth, Karratha and Kalgoorlie, as well as to mine sites.

Workers have complained their current wages are “significantly lower” compared to other airlines.

It is understood there are typically two flights from Perth to Geraldton, and two flights from Geraldton to Perth on a Wednesday.

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP), which represents pilots employed by Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation, said they had notified Qantas management on Thursday afternoon about the impending strike.

More than 212 of Network Aviation’s 250 pilots are AFAP members, and 99.5 per cent voted to take legally protected industrial action, effective from 12.01am and ending at 11.59pm on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for QantasLink said: “Our proposed agreement offers our pilots significant pay rises and more guaranteed days off each roster period and we’re disappointed the AFAP has chosen to move towards industrial action while we have been trying to negotiate.”

The pilots involved in the strike do not operate other Qantas domestic or international services, and are only allowed to participate in the strike if they are AFAP members.

The company have reached agreements with Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and will put their proposal to improve working conditions to pilots later in the month.

“The AFAP remains committed to reaching an agreement for our members in Western Australia who fly for Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation and is disappointed that we have had to take this action,” senior industrial officer Chris Aikens said.

The proposal includes 13 to 20 per cent remunerations from mid-October, back pay, three per cent annual pay increases and more roster stability.