The ACTU welcomes the news that Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce has decided to step down with immediate effect.
Last week it was announced that Qantas Chairman Alan Joyce would receive a $10 million bonus for his work during the pandemic, which saw Qantas receive billions of dollars of government funding during the pandemic and over the same time were found by the federal court to have illegally sacked 1700 workers.
This $10 million dollars would see Joyce depart with a reported total of $24 million dollars during one of the most turbulent times in the airline’s history.
It was also revealed this week that Qantas allegedly continued to take bookings for flights it had previously cancelled.
Qanas have been the poster child for gaming the system by exploiting the “same job, same pay” loophole.
ACTU research shows on some Qantas domestic flights, you see the cabin crew on 5 different rates of pay on the same plane. All for doing the same job.
The research shows that Qantas has split its cabin crew workforce across 14 companies and contractors to drive down wages and conditions so they can post billions in profits, whilst workers struggle with the cost of living.
Quotes attributable to ACTU President Michele O’Neil:
“Alan Joyce and his Qantas team has been one of the worst abusers to the “same job same pay” loophole. Pushing up company profits at the expense of driving down workers’ wages.
“Qantas staff used to be proud to work for “the Spirit of Australian”, but Alan Joyce broke that spirit by prioritising shareholders over the welfare of staff and passengers.
“Whilst we welcome Alan Joyce’s exit, what really needs to go is the culture of profit over people. Now is the opportunity for Qantas to restore its reputation as the nation’s flagship carrier by working with unions to pay workers the fair wages and conditions they deserve and restore customers faith in this airline.
ENDS
Media: Gareth Hathway 0499 878 782
