Job security and the future of an Australian icon at stake in Qantas negotiations
31 October, 2011 | Media Release
Unions welcome the resumption of Qantas flights over the next 24 hours and will now approach negotiations with the airline’s management determined to stand up for job security, and keeping good jobs in Australia.
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said the immediate priority of Qantas workers would be to get the planes back in the air to minimise any further disruption for passengers caused by CEO Alan Joyce’s decision on Saturday.
He said union members around the country would pull out all stops to get the flights back to normal as soon as possible.
Unions will urgently seek to restart talks with Qantas management in a spirit of conciliation following Fair Work Australia’s order this morning that the airline return to the negotiating table.
Mr Lawrence said the key issues for negotiation were job security and Qantas’ plans to offshore major parts of its operations.
“We welcome Alan Joyce’s announcement that all flights will resume within 24 hours, but it should never have come to this,” Mr Lawrence said.
“For two days, Qantas has held the Australian public to ransom. There were plenty of choices available to Qantas, but grounding its airlines was not necessary.
“Tens of thousands of people have had their travel plans disrupted, and the economic loss caused by Mr Joyce’s singlehanded action has been immense. The damage to Qantas’ and Australia’s reputation is immeasurable.
“In its decision, Fair Work Australia attributed the entire reason for its intervention to the potential damage to the economy and industry caused by the actions of Qantas management.
“The intervention to prevent Qantas from locking out its workers and forcing it back to the negotiating table is welcome.
“For 15 months, unions representing engineers, pilots, baggage handlers and ramp crews, and catering staff have been standing up for this great company to ensure it remains a proud Australian icon.
“This is about job security, and keeping good jobs in Australia – that’s what unions are fighting for.
“Unions genuinely want to reach agreement, and we expect Qantas management to take a reasonable approach to negotiations, as opposed to its behaviour until now.”
Contact Details
Mark Phillips
Ph: 0422 009 011
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