KoruPilot

For those of you interested in what is going on in NZ as far as the new operation of JetStar are concerned, below is an excerpt from the NZALPA news letter.

I think that the position of NZALPA is pretty clear here. The safety concerns are very real, and one hopes that any attempt by QF to put inexperienced pilots into the seats of these planes is thwarted. As noted, the reason the T&C's have come up is that very few people in NZ are willing to low ball themselves. At least one person whom I corresponded with on this site made it quite clear how they felt about the T&C during his interview; good on ya, IMO that's how contractors keep pay up.

Normally I would not berate pilots for taking lower paying jobs to get their foot in the door, but when New Zealand has ample applicants with the current and legal right to work, well, I'd be careful about what I was walking into. There is no current pilot shortage there, so there is really no requirement to bring in off-shore pilots. But, that's just the way I see it. Likely it's also the way just about every pilot in NZ sees it as well though.

Anyway, read on. I included only the part that I believe NZALPA would like the pilot community to see. The rest may be found on their web site. . . not sure but they would likely forward the note in it's entirety if one requested.

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Jetstar Australia pilots' jobs under threat

If Jetstar NZ is able to attract sufficient pilots on its low-cost individual agreements - with salaries well below those of our Jetconnect members and our Australian colleagues who enjoy the protection of a Collective Employment Agreement - then the jobs of Jetstar Australia's pilots are also at risk. Perhaps the first to go will be Jetstar Australia's pilot base in CHC.

We are jointly undertaking a professional external analysis of the employment contracts involved, with some strategic assistance being provided by International Pilot Services Corporation (IPSC is a US ALPA subsidiary). We are working together to counter the threats posed by Trans-National Airlines which cross borders in order to exploit different countries' employment and aviation markets to drive down wages and achieve reduced cost structures. These airlines are not content to compete on a level playing field - instead they recruit staff, including pilots, into new subsidiaries in foreign countries to undermine conditions in the entire region. This is a real threat to the terms and conditions of all pilots and to the opportunities for growth and promotion that many current members can reasonably look forward to.

NZALPA welcomes new airlines to New Zealand which provide job opportunities for pilots - but not on sub-standard terms of employment designed to provide a competitive advantage by attacking pilots' pay and conditions along with the professional standing of our occupation!


Jobs at Jetstar NZ

It is becoming increasingly clear that Jetstar NZ is having difficulty in securing suitable applicants for positions which are advertised on their website as being based out of Auckland.

Over recent months we have seen the package significantly improve in terms of remuneration as it has become obvious that pilots - many of whom will be members of NZALPA, AFAP and AIPA - have chosen not to apply. Why would this be? Because the terms and conditions on offer are not seen as being acceptable for the job of flying jet aircraft domestically in New Zealand. Good on you those that have made the conscious decision not to apply - this is the strongest message that can be sent to Jetstar NZ and Qantas.

Where are the pilots going to come from?

Jetstar NZ is planning to commence domestic services in New Zealand with two aircraft on 10 June - 19 days away - and it is clear that there will not be sufficient pilots employed in New Zealand to commence the operation. Attached to this email is a recent advertisement in the UK-based Easyjet in-house magazine, offering pilots the opportunity to come to New Zealand on a temporary basis at wages substantially higher than those on offer here in New Zealand. These pilots are being recruited by CTC Training in Hamilton (Easyjet's pilot-training organisation). NZALPA, AFAP and AIPA are following this up with their respective immigration departments.

Jetstar Australia also has an operation in Asia; it seems that pilots from this operation may be used to commence services in June along with pilots from Jetstar Australia who are currently surplus to requirement. NZALPA will be carefully monitoring where the pilots come from, their experience levels and training received, along with preparation for operations into New Zealand airports like Queenstown. We have concerns that a valuable experience base of pilots who have operated into some of the region's most challenging airports (eg Wellington and Queenstown) is being lost and replaced by a new pilot group with little experience into these airports. Make no mistake - this cavalier cost-cutting initiative by Qantas does not bode well for safety levels in the New Zealand aviation industry.

We will update you further after the injunction hearing on Tuesday next week.