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Airlines

Qantas Faces Industrial Confrontation Over Offshoring Plan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, is bracing for a potential industrial showdown with its unions over a plan to send maintenance work offshore, which could potentially disrupt the Commonwealth Games. The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) has warned the company against slashing 2,500 Australian jobs and sending work to China, citing concerns over safety and the potential for industrial action. The union has vowed to fight any moves by Qantas to prioritize profits over jobs and safety, with a key meeting with the company's chairman, Geoff Dixon, scheduled for tomorrow.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) has warned Qantas against sending maintenance work to China, citing concerns over safety and jobs.
  • The union has threatened industrial action if Qantas prioritizes profits over jobs and safety, which could potentially disrupt the Commonwealth Games.
  • The AMWU is seeking assurance from Qantas chairman Geoff Dixon that the company will not send jobs to China.
  • The union claims that sending maintenance work to China could compromise Qantas' safety record, with no fatality record to date.
  • The company's Melbourne headquarters was the site of a protest by 300 union delegates, who marched demanding Qantas rule out offshoring.
  • The union has urged Qantas to put jobs and safety ahead of profit, with a key meeting with the company's chairman scheduled for tomorrow.
  • If Qantas chooses to send jobs to China, the union has warned that it will be "in for a fight".

Statistics:

  • 300 delegates marched to Qantas' Melbourne headquarters to protest offshoring plans.
  • 2,500 Australian jobs are at risk if Qantas sends maintenance work to China.
  • Qantas has a 100% no-fatality record to date.
  • The union will meet with Qantas chairman Geoff Dixon tomorrow to hammer out a deal.
  • The protest lasted for 30 minutes.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, "Unions Warn of Qantas Strike", March 8, 2006.
  • AAP, March 8, 2006, 15:19 (No further information provided on the AAP source)

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