A new collective agreement has been finalised for workers to be employed in the new Ansett by the Fox-Lew consortium, the ACTU said today.
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said that the agreement was designed to kick-start the new Ansett when Lindsay Fox and Solomon Lew take over the airline on February 1, 2002.
“This is a new agreement for a new airline,” Mr Combet said.
“It will save 4,000 jobs and help pave the way for all redundant Ansett employees to receive their full entitlements. From the time that Ansett collapsed, these have been the unions’ key objectives.
“The new agreement contains pay rates which are broadly comparable to previous Ansett and Qantas levels. New staffing levels, working arrangements and improved productivity will give the best possible chance for the commercial success of the airline.”
Mr Combet said that the agreement covered pilots and cabin crew, terminal services and other ground staff. The agreement does not cover maintenance employees, who will continue to be employed by the Ansett administrators until the maintenance operations are sold.
Key features of the three-year agreement include:
- A 5% share of profits and equity for employees;
- A $4.2 million “pool” from which wage increases will be funded;
- A commitment to guarantee employee entitlements;
- Union representation rights; and
- A provision ensuring that employees cannot be required to work unreasonable hours. “The ACTU and the Ansett unions party to the new agreement are pleased that the negotiations have been successfully finalised. It has been a long haul for Ansett staff, but many are now being paid the first part of their entitlements, and others are closer to securing a job in the new Ansett.
“This new collective agreement is another major step forward towards getting Ansett back in the air,” Mr Combet said.
