Qantas pilots plan 24 hour walkout in possible blow to oil and gas companies

SYDNEY: Pilots at Network Aviation, a subsidiary of Qantas Airways, will go on strike on October 4, the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) said on Thursday, a move that could affect flights to mines and energy projects in Western Australia.

The union has been negotiating with Qantas management over wage policy revisions in the resource-rich state, which is home to large deposits of iron ore and natural gas.

“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,” said senior industrial officer Chris Aikens.

The union represents about 85% of the 250 or so pilots flying for the airline.

More than 99.5% of AFAP pilot members at Network Aviation voted in a ballot late Monday to approve several legally-protected industrial actions that include work bans and stoppages.

Qantas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for QantasLink, an airline brand of Qantas, on Tuesday called the proposed disruption "disappointing", adding it has offered the pilots significant pay rises and more guaranteed days off.