Thursday, August 29, 2024 Qantas has responded to the Labor Government’s ‘Same Job Same Pay’ legislation, passed in December 2023, which has brought significant changes to long-standing workforce arrangements used by the airline and other businesses across the economy. Following discussions with the Flight Attendants Association Australia (FAAA), Qantas has confirmed its support for the union’s three Same Job Same Pay applications concerning its short-haul cabin crew, which will be submitted to the Fair Work Commission (FWC). In addition to these applications, Qantas has reached an in-principle agreement with the FAAA regarding its long-haul cabin crew workforce.
These discussions have aimed to balance the impacts of the new legislation on both short-haul and long-haul cabin crews, while ensuring that Qantas maintains a competitive edge and sustains its business for the future. The decision to back the union’s applications is expected to result in pay increases for up to 800 Qantas short-haul cabin crew, with the specific amounts to be determined through ongoing negotiations with the FAAA and pending FWC approval. Furthermore, the in-principle agreement includes a plan to amend the current Long Haul Cabin Crew Enterprise Agreement, ensuring that approximately 2,500 international crew receive pay increases similar to their short-haul counterparts.
This agreement also guarantees these employees access to the new A350-1000 Ultra Long Range aircraft, including participa.