Industrial action, Sydney Airport today: 3000 Qantas workers fight for their jobs
Sydney Airport will experience flight delays today following Qantas
management’s outsourcing of Australian jobs, sacking of 1000 workers and
Qantas management’s refusal to guarantee the job security of over 3000
ground staff covered by the Transport Workers’ Union.
TWU State Secretary Wayne Forno said,
“We stand by our members 100 percent and we apologise to everybody affected by today’s stoppage, which has been forced by Qantas management.
“Qantas management are turning our flying kangaroo into roadkill: outsourcing Australian jobs overseas and sacking 1000 workers while Qantas CEO Alan Joyce’s pay went up by $2 million and Qantas executives increased their pay last week by up to 71%.
“Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has a package of $5 million in 2011. A ground crew member taking action today earns $37,000 per year.
“Qantas management refuse to guarantee our members’ job security and are trying to keep their expired enterprise agreement which was struck under WorkChoices.”
“Qantas have had 5 months to negotiate for a new agreement with the TWU on behalf of their 3000 + ground staff, and have used every trick in the book to stall.
“Qantas management have also abused their responsibility for our national icon.
“This is a fight for your pay and conditions, for all working people in Australia.
“If Qantas management get away with trashing Australian workers’ pay and conditions, every business in Australia will think they can follow suit.
“The day Qantas management announced 1000 Australian workers would be sacked they gave the TWU a guarantee none of our members were affected. Qantas lied. The next day 70 of our members were terminated. You can’t trust Qantas management.
“We appeal to the whole community to join us in our campaign. Let’s save Australian jobs, and save our flying kangaroo before Qantas management turns it into roadkill.”
Today’s protected industrial action follows TWU members voting 95%+ in favour of taking action during ballots run by the AEC over the past month: sending an overwhelming message to Qantas that they will stand by their demands for fair wages and conditions, job security and no B rates to undercut Qantas workers’ wages.
The Sydney Airport stoppage runs today for 4 hours from 0700.
It is estimated that domestic and international flights could be affected for up to 48 hours as TWU members stop work around Australia today.
For more information call the TWU Qantas infoline (02) 8114 6530.
“We stand by our members 100 percent and we apologise to everybody affected by today’s stoppage, which has been forced by Qantas management.
“Qantas management are turning our flying kangaroo into roadkill: outsourcing Australian jobs overseas and sacking 1000 workers while Qantas CEO Alan Joyce’s pay went up by $2 million and Qantas executives increased their pay last week by up to 71%.
“Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has a package of $5 million in 2011. A ground crew member taking action today earns $37,000 per year.
“Qantas management refuse to guarantee our members’ job security and are trying to keep their expired enterprise agreement which was struck under WorkChoices.”
“Qantas have had 5 months to negotiate for a new agreement with the TWU on behalf of their 3000 + ground staff, and have used every trick in the book to stall.
“Qantas management have also abused their responsibility for our national icon.
“This is a fight for your pay and conditions, for all working people in Australia.
“If Qantas management get away with trashing Australian workers’ pay and conditions, every business in Australia will think they can follow suit.
“The day Qantas management announced 1000 Australian workers would be sacked they gave the TWU a guarantee none of our members were affected. Qantas lied. The next day 70 of our members were terminated. You can’t trust Qantas management.
“We appeal to the whole community to join us in our campaign. Let’s save Australian jobs, and save our flying kangaroo before Qantas management turns it into roadkill.”
Today’s protected industrial action follows TWU members voting 95%+ in favour of taking action during ballots run by the AEC over the past month: sending an overwhelming message to Qantas that they will stand by their demands for fair wages and conditions, job security and no B rates to undercut Qantas workers’ wages.
The Sydney Airport stoppage runs today for 4 hours from 0700.
It is estimated that domestic and international flights could be affected for up to 48 hours as TWU members stop work around Australia today.
For more information call the TWU Qantas infoline (02) 8114 6530.