Thousands of FIFO workers are expected to be affected when pilots from the Qantas-owned Network Aviation walk off the job as a wages dispute intensifies.
Western Australia's resources sector is bracing for chaos ahead of a pilots' strike that's expected to affect thousands of FIFO workers.
Pilots employed by a Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation plan to walk off the job for 24 hours on Wednesday over a long-running pay dispute.
The protected industrial action has resulted in about 50 per cent of scheduled flights being cancelled, as the airline scrambles to find alternatives.
This includes rerouting Qantas 737 jets, using aircraft from other charter operators and moving flights to other days.
Qantas and Network Aviation have also been forced to transfer some customers to competing airlines.
BHP and Fortescue Metals Group said some of their Pilbara operations would be impacted by the strike and they were working with Qantas and other carriers to minimise disruption.
Wage negotiations between Network Aviation and its pilots have been at a standstill since March.
Australian Federation of Air Pilots said it was disappointed its members had been forced to resort to industrial action and it remained committed to reaching an agreement with the airline.
"Many of these pilots even earn less than what is included in the air pilots award which is the bare legal minimum," senior industrial officer Chris Aikens said.
"Network Aviation's pilots are simply asking for something that is affordable and sustainable for the company and its workforce."
Network Aviation chief operating officer Trevor Worgan said the industrial action was timed to hurt travellers during the busy school holiday period and flights would remain cancelled even if the strike is called off.
"Our proposed agreement offers our pilots significant pay rises and more guaranteed days off each roster period and we're disappointed the AFAP has chosen to move towards industrial action while we have been trying to negotiate," he said.
Network Aviation operates more than 500 flights per week, flying the resource sector's FIFO workers to and from regional towns and mine sites across WA.
It also provides regular airline services on behalf of Qantas, a corporate charter service and routine or emergency freight flights.
There are estimated to be more than 60,000 FIFO workers in WA who fly into remote work sites for mining, oil and gas projects across the state.
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