Qantas found guilty again, this time for targeting health and safety representative

Media Release - November 16, 2023

Qantas has been found guilty of illegally standing down Theo Seremetidis for simply carrying out his legal duties as a health and safety representative. The case was brought by SafeWork NSW accusing Qantas of targeting and standing down Mr Seremetidis because of his advice to workers to cease unsafe work during the pandemic.

SafeWork NSW, following a call from the Transport Workers Union, carried out an inspection and found that workers were being made to clean planes arriving from COVID hotspots without adequate personal protective equipment, COVID-safe training, or disinfectant – just water and one rag to clean multiple tray tables.

Mr Seremetidis was stood down and never worked for Qantas again. A year later, he and his workmates were illegally sacked by the airline.

Quotes attributable to ACTU Secretary Sally McManus:

“As far as the union movement is concerned, Theo is a hero for standing up at great cost to himself to keep the whole of the community safe from a deadly virus at a time where no vaccines were available and when hospitals around the world were being overwhelmed. Congratulations to the TWU who stood by Theo in the dark times and can finally see him win justice.

“Qantas has shown us time and time again they will use every trick in the book to maximise their profits over the welfare of people. When it comes to the passing of the Closing Loopholes Bill, I say this to Peter Dutton and the crossbench: do you really want to be siding with the likes of Qantas over working people?”

The ACTU Network

Australian Unions

Whether you want to join a union, take action in campaigns, or make the most of the benefits of being a union member, Australian Unions is the place to go for information and resources.
Visit Australian Unions

Mind Your Head

We’re taking action to protect workplace mental health.
Visit Mind Your Head

Worksite

Your rights at work for students and for people entering the workforce for the first time.
Visit Worksite

OHS

Information and resources for health and safety representatives and workers about how to speak up at work for health and safety.
Visit OHS

Union Aid Abroad

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is the overseas aid and development agency of the ACTU. Our work aims to build self-reliance through support to educational and training projects for workers and their organisations in the developing world.
Visit Union Aid Abroad

ACTU National Union Directory

Find who you are looking for from the who’s who of the union movement.
Visit the ACTU National Union Dictionary

Representing Australian workers and their families.