Union reaches in-principle agreement with Qantas

The Flight Attendants Association of Australia, with the 
assistance of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, has 
signed a memorandum of understanding with international airline 
Qantas.

Although the agreement has to be ratified by postal ballot, the 
union has strongly recommended that their members vote for the 
deal.

Key features of the agreement include:

* A 3 percent per annum pay increase for each of the three years 
of the enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA).

* The removal of the Pay Equalisation review clause from the last 
EBA that could have resulted in a pay cut.

* The removal of the roster review clause from the last EBA that 
could have resulted in changes to the seniority-based 
preferential bid system.

* A new Divisional Flying Agreement with Qantas that provides for 
the Commission to conciliate, and in the event that the 
conciliation is not successful, for private arbitration by the 
Commission of any disputes.

* One flight per day for Australian based crews to London. This 
will not be date limited.

* A cap on overseas based crew. This cap does not have an expiry 
date like the current EBA and continues for the life of the 
Agreement.

* The union has received assurances from the Company that the 
flight attendants employed on 11-month fixed term contracts will 
be considered for other positions within the Qantas Group when 
their contract expires, subject to there being suitable positions 
available.

In a statement the Flight Attendants Association said: "We do not 
believe that this agreement would have been possible without the 
very public support and solidarity of our membership. We are very 
proud and grateful for the support that you have given us."