Qantas, AIPA hold ‘conciliation talks’ at Fair Work Australia

The industrial dispute between Qantas and its long haul pilots continues. (Seth Jaworski)

Qantas and the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) have held ‘conciliation talks’ at Fair Work Australia today.

Qantas requested the hearing by the workplace relations tribunal in an attempt to settle its long running dispute with AIPA, which represents the airline’s 1650 long haul pilots.

“Qantas sought conciliation before Fair Work Australia after the pilots’ union refused to meaningfully negotiate on pay and conditions unless their demand that Jetstar pay its pilots the same premium pay and conditions as Qantas long haul pilots was met. Alternatively, the union is demanding that Qantas reduce the options for passengers by removing Qantas codeshare flights from Jetstar,” the airline said in a statement.

“Qantas has made it clear to the pilots’ union that this demand would lead to job losses, increase the cost of airfares and make the business unsustainable,” the statement added, claiming that union’s demands “would cost the airline in excess of $150 million over four years”.