Qantas Employees to Stop Work at Sydney, Canberra, and Cairns Airports

Strategic Insights -

The Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU) has announced that Qantas employees will stage a series of stoppages at Sydney, Canberra, and Cairns airports next Wednesday, in protest of the airline's management offer to reduce pay and outsource work. The stoppages, scheduled for 3 hours at Sydney, 1 hour at Canberra, and 1 hour at Cairns, will commence at local times of 7:00 am, 4:30 pm, and 7:00 am, respectively. TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon has criticized Qantas management's offer, saying it is an attempt to "Jetstar" the entire organization by offering inferior terms to new employees and rewarding senior management with increased salaries.

Key Takeaways:

  • Qantas employees will stage stoppages at Sydney, Canberra, and Cairns airports next Wednesday, in protest of management's offer to reduce pay and outsource work.
  • The stoppages will occur at Sydney for 3 hours, Canberra for 1 hour, and Cairns for 1 hour, with start times at local times of 7:00 am, 4:30 pm, and 7:00 am, respectively.
  • TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon has criticized Qantas management's offer, saying it is an attempt to "Jetstar" the entire organization.
  • Sheldon has also criticized the 71% increase in Qantas CEO Alan Joyce's salary, despite a 71% fall in the airline's share price over the past five years.
  • The TWU has called on the government to intervene in the national interest and address gross executive salary increases that bear no relationship to the company's share price.
  • Qantas staff have witnessed a series of PR stunts by the airline's management, including attempts to divide employees and offshore jobs to Asia.
  • The TWU also criticized the airline's treatment of employees during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), stating that staff were squeezed for "the last drop of blood" to keep the airline profitable.

Statistics:

  • 71%: The decrease in Qantas share price over the past five years.
  • 71%: The increase in Qantas CEO Alan Joyce's salary, despite the fall in share price.
  • 3 hours: The duration of the stoppages at Sydney.
  • 1 hour: The duration of the stoppages at Canberra.
  • 1 hour: The duration of the stoppages at Cairns.
  • 7:00 am: The start time of the stoppages at Sydney.
  • 4:30 pm: The start time of the stoppages at Canberra.
  • 7:00 am: The start time of the stoppages at Cairns.

Sources:

  • Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU)
  • Tony Sheldon, TWU National Secretary
  • Qantas Airlines
  • Sydney Morning Herald (no specific date)
  • Australian Financial Review (no specific date)