From Transport Workers Union
TWU seeks solution for Australian workers, passengers: TWU proposes negotiation lockdown with Qantas
By Wayne Forno
31 Oct, 2011
31 Oct, 2011
The Transport Workers’ Union of NSW today called on Qantas to join them
in a negotiation ‘lock down’ on behalf of Australian workers and
passengers, after Fair Work Australia ruled this morning that the
parties have 21 days to resolve the dispute.
“The Transport Workers’ Union of NSW throws its support 100 percent behind our thousands of Qantas members throughout NSW and around Australia,” TWU State Secretary Wayne Forno said.
“On behalf of our members and Qantas passengers we invite Qantas to join us in a negotiation lockdown effective immediately.
“The TWU is and has always been ready to negotiate with Qantas. We have been trying to do this for around 6 months and are more than ready now.
“We extend the invitation and the ball is now in Qantas’ court.”
The TWU stands by statements made on behalf of workers and passengers condemning Qantas’ irresponsible and unjustified conduct in grounding all planes, leaving up to 80,000 passengers stranded and announcing they would lock out thousands of Australian workers in the most un-Australian industrial act since the Patrick dispute.
“However we must all now work towards a stable and productive Qantas, with fairness, dignity, Australian wages and conditions and job security for Australian workers,” Mr Forno said.
“The TWU is committed to reaching an agreement with Qantas. It is in the national interest that this occur.
“Our workplace representatives want a negotiation ‘lockdown’ to make this work and are willing to sit down with Qantas for every one of the next 21 days until this happens. A viable Qantas is in everyone’s interests: its employees; the board; and the travelling public.”
The TWU call on Qantas to negotiate in good faith in accordance with the decision of Fair Work Australia, which recommended negotiations take place during the next 21 days.
Ultimately, the TWU will support arbitration if it is required
“On behalf of our members and Qantas passengers we invite Qantas to join us in a negotiation lockdown effective immediately.
“The TWU is and has always been ready to negotiate with Qantas. We have been trying to do this for around 6 months and are more than ready now.
“We extend the invitation and the ball is now in Qantas’ court.”
The TWU stands by statements made on behalf of workers and passengers condemning Qantas’ irresponsible and unjustified conduct in grounding all planes, leaving up to 80,000 passengers stranded and announcing they would lock out thousands of Australian workers in the most un-Australian industrial act since the Patrick dispute.
“However we must all now work towards a stable and productive Qantas, with fairness, dignity, Australian wages and conditions and job security for Australian workers,” Mr Forno said.
“The TWU is committed to reaching an agreement with Qantas. It is in the national interest that this occur.
“Our workplace representatives want a negotiation ‘lockdown’ to make this work and are willing to sit down with Qantas for every one of the next 21 days until this happens. A viable Qantas is in everyone’s interests: its employees; the board; and the travelling public.”
The TWU call on Qantas to negotiate in good faith in accordance with the decision of Fair Work Australia, which recommended negotiations take place during the next 21 days.
Ultimately, the TWU will support arbitration if it is required
© Copyright 2012 by Transport Workers Union