WORKERS PROTEST AT CAIRNS AIRPORT FOR BETTER, SAFER JOBS
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The TWU has condemned Qantas’ announcement that it will go ahead with closing its Mildura, Hobart and Canberra bases, despite the impact it will have on affected cabin crew and pilots as well as regional communities.
Qantas’ commitment to additional payments and transition time for affected employees is a testament to the TWU-led pushback against the closures, but confirms the airline is aware of how severe the impact will be on its people.
The TWU said the decision once again showed the complete failure from Qantas to listen to their workforce, the travelling public or the outcry from local communities, and was a mark of how little had still changed culturally at Qantas since its illegal outsourcing of over 1800 workers.
A survey from the TWU, AFAP and AIPA of affected pilots showed 68% would be forced to consider other employment if bases closed, and 1 in 5 had already been affected by recent Qantas base closures in Perth and Cairns.
Without permanently-based crew and pilots in these locations, the closures have the potential to cause more cancellations, particularly in Canberra, once again resulting in a decline in standards for passengers.
Like with the administration of Rex, regional Australia will once again be left behind, with fewer local jobs and reduced services.
Recently Qantas announced near-record full-year profits of $2.39 billion, after it was lashed by the Federal Court for its illegal outsourcing of 1800 ground workers and made to pay a record $90 million penalty.
TWU National Assistant Secretary Emily McMillan said:
“This is a decision that will have life-changing effects on pilots and cabin crew who were told their jobs in these bases were safe, and who made significant decisions on that assurance. These crew are now in a position of having to choose between family and career because Qantas continues to put exorbitant profits over people.
“Qantas says it has changed, but this is the same old Qantas once again. It has afforded extra funding and transition time because of the impact it will have on affected employees’ lives, but stops short of admitting that its decision is wrong. This is just another example of Qantas trying to plaster over a bad decision.
“Pilots, cabin crew, regional communities and our political leaders across the spectrum have urged Qantas to reconsider, but its decision to push ahead anyway is a mark of the disdain it still has towards its workforce and the Australian community.
“We desperately need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission, which could ensure that when these decisions are made, they weigh up the needs of the entire community—not just executives’ bonuses.”
TWU VIC/TAS Director of Organising Sam Lynch said:
“Aviation workers aren’t expendable. Pilots and cabin crew, and their families, should be given the respect that their work will be safe and secure.
“Despite claims from Qantas, this is another example of the airline continuing to demonstrate its priority is not with the workforce.
“Regional Australia and Tasmania are once again being left behind with these closures going ahead. These changes mean fewer local jobs and the potential for standards to be lowered for Tasmanians.”