NZ-based pilots paid 'half of Aussie counterparts'

New Zealand-based pilots of Australian airlines could nearly double their pay if a test case by Qantas pilots for pay parity is successful.

The Qantas pilots want the Australian courts to force the airlines to pay its pilots employed by New Zealand-based Jetconnect the same much higher rates paid to their Australian counterparts.

Jetconnect is wholly owned by Qantas and flies the trans-Tasman routes in Qantas colours.

The pilots claim that Qantas is undermining the spirit and intent of Australia's Fair Work Act by effectively exporting jobs to New Zealand and paying those pilots an estimated 40 per cent less.

A Jetconnect copilot reportedly earned nearly A$64,674 (NZ$80,823) and a captain A$106,674. That compared with a Qantas copilot on A$103,372 and captain on A$161,519.

New Zealand Airline Pilots Association executive director Rick Mirkin has been closely involved in preparations for the case. He said the case would test how far the Australian courts were prepared to go to protect the conditions of workers in other countries who were effectively employed by an Australian company.

Qantas spokesman David Epstein said the airline was confident of defending the case. "Jetconnect is a New Zealand company, operating New Zealand-registered aircraft originating from New Zealand using New Zealand staff, so therefore it is for all intents and purposes a New Zealand operation ... and the employees have negotiated a New Zealand industrial agreement."

The Australian pilot action was aimed at taking over the roles of the New Zealand pilots, Mr Epstein said.

Mr Mirkin said Jetconnect and budget stable mate Jetstar were "trans-national airlines" set up to take advantage of New Zealand's cheaper labour rates.

If the pilots were successful it would significantly increase the amount Jetconnect pilots were paid, and could also flow through to Jetstar, which flies domestic and trans-Tasman services.

A Jetstar co-pilot in New Zealand was paid about $65,000 a year to fly an Airbus A320, about half the amount an Air New Zealand pilot flying the same plane earned, Mr Mirkin said. Lower pay rates at competing airlines would make it more difficult for Air New Zealand pilots to gain pay increases.

Negotiating for a collective agreement for pilots at Pacific Blue due to start early next year would also try to ensure "New Zealand is not seen as a source of cheap labour".

- © Fairfax NZ News