Qantas brings in 737s to break 6-day network aviation strike

Qantas is bringing in three 737s, as well as charter aircraft from other airlines, to break a six-day strike by Network Aviation pilots in WA. Australian Federation of Air Pilots members at Network, which operates Qantas FIFO and scheduled QantasLink services in the state, have begun six rolling 24-hour work stoppages from Wednesday to Monday, adding a further three days to already-planned industrial action. The Flying Kangaroo says that, despite around 25 return flights being cancelled on each of Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the strike, contingency plans will allow around 80% of passengers to travel on the same day they were booked to do so. “The strike action over the next few days is clearly aimed directly at the Western Australian economy by targeting flying to and from mine sites across the state,” said Network Aviation COO Trevor Worgan. “The strikes planned over the weekend will mainly impact Western Australians travelling to regional towns across WA including places like Geraldton, Broome and Kalgoorlie. We are pulling out all stops to help get most customers to their destination on the same day, whether that’s to see family and friends or get to-and-from a mine site.” 90% of Network’s more than 250 pilots are members of AFAP, and the union says they are the lowest-paid jet pilots in the Qantas Group.<br/>