Negotiated Settlement Urged With The Australian Carrier

The Allied Pilots Association (APA) has characterized the situation at Qantas as “highly unfortunate” following Fair Work Australia’s intervention in a labor-management impasse at the carrier.

“Qantas management brought this highly unfortunate situation on itself by proceeding with plans to outsource mainline workers’ jobs to low-cost offshore subsidiaries,” said APA President Captain Dave Bates (pictured). “Any plan predicated on the outsourcing of good middle-class jobs is a recipe for disaster. We support our Qantas colleagues in their efforts to preserve their career prospects.

“The most successful airlines understand the value of actively engaging their employees, and outsourcing jobs runs completely counter to that proven approach,” Bates said. “Accordingly, we urge Qantas management to commit to reaching a negotiated solution with the carrier’s unions for the good of all concerned,” he said.

Fair Work Australia’s intervention followed Qantas CEO Alan Joyce’s Oct. 29 announcement that the airline would lock out engineers, baggage handlers and international pilots beginning at 8 p.m. on Oct. 31. The lockout followed a series of work stoppages by Qantas employees. Fair Work Australia gave both parties 21 days to reach an agreement, and may extend talks another 21 days or initiate a binding arbitration process, which could require several months to complete.

American Airlines and Qantas are both members of the oneworld Alliance.

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org