ID :
180900
Mon, 05/09/2011 - 14:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/180900
The shortlink copeid
Qantas engineers to strike
Qantas passengers face delays after the airline's engineers voted to stop work for an hour because wage negotiations "hit a brick wall".
Qantas has fired back, accusing the union of sabotaging talks and misrepresenting claims for increased wages and conditions.
The engineers two weeks ago voted to take stop-work action on Friday if progress wasn't made on six months of negotiations at a meeting with management on Monday.
After the talks stalled, Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) federal secretary Steve Purvinas announced engineers would strike from 8am to 9am (AEST) on Friday.
He warned it would be the first in a series of possible industrial actions and could include 48-hour work stoppages.
"Qantas (engineers) are sick of the systematic dismantling of our industry by Qantas management," Mr Purvinas told reporters.
"Qantas engineers, pilots and all support staff are people who made Qantas' excellent safety reputation.
"It was not made by Qantas managers, and our members are sick of the systematic dismantling of our business by the same team of managers."
But Qantas Group Executive for Operations, Lyell Strambi, said the union was misrepresenting the claim they were making for increased wages and conditions.
"The union clearly seems more intent on taking industrial action rather than genuinely negotiating for a new enterprise bargaining agreement for its members," she said in a statement.
"Qantas has negotiated in good faith since September last year and exhausted all avenues possible. However, we have been unable to make any real progress with the union on an agreement."
She said the union was asking for a pay rise of five to six per cent over three years, as well as guaranteed staff travel above existing travel benefits.
Qantas said the demands included a requirement for Qantas to commit to major engineering projects years before decisions needed to be made.
But, Mr Purvinas said, the major concern was Qantas management's decision to outsource maintenance work overseas, as well as cuts in regular maintenance checks for Qantas aircraft.
He said he expected Qantas passengers to experience one-hour delays in flights on Friday, while Qantas said it expected only "minor delays".
In mid April, Qantas Airways Ltd chief executive Alan Joyce accused trade unions of singling the airline out for industrial action at a time when it was being squeezed by rising fuel prices and tough economic conditions.
In 2008, Qantas maintenance workers grounded 40 Qantas flights over a series of days following a similar dispute.
Qantas has fired back, accusing the union of sabotaging talks and misrepresenting claims for increased wages and conditions.
The engineers two weeks ago voted to take stop-work action on Friday if progress wasn't made on six months of negotiations at a meeting with management on Monday.
After the talks stalled, Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) federal secretary Steve Purvinas announced engineers would strike from 8am to 9am (AEST) on Friday.
He warned it would be the first in a series of possible industrial actions and could include 48-hour work stoppages.
"Qantas (engineers) are sick of the systematic dismantling of our industry by Qantas management," Mr Purvinas told reporters.
"Qantas engineers, pilots and all support staff are people who made Qantas' excellent safety reputation.
"It was not made by Qantas managers, and our members are sick of the systematic dismantling of our business by the same team of managers."
But Qantas Group Executive for Operations, Lyell Strambi, said the union was misrepresenting the claim they were making for increased wages and conditions.
"The union clearly seems more intent on taking industrial action rather than genuinely negotiating for a new enterprise bargaining agreement for its members," she said in a statement.
"Qantas has negotiated in good faith since September last year and exhausted all avenues possible. However, we have been unable to make any real progress with the union on an agreement."
She said the union was asking for a pay rise of five to six per cent over three years, as well as guaranteed staff travel above existing travel benefits.
Qantas said the demands included a requirement for Qantas to commit to major engineering projects years before decisions needed to be made.
But, Mr Purvinas said, the major concern was Qantas management's decision to outsource maintenance work overseas, as well as cuts in regular maintenance checks for Qantas aircraft.
He said he expected Qantas passengers to experience one-hour delays in flights on Friday, while Qantas said it expected only "minor delays".
In mid April, Qantas Airways Ltd chief executive Alan Joyce accused trade unions of singling the airline out for industrial action at a time when it was being squeezed by rising fuel prices and tough economic conditions.
In 2008, Qantas maintenance workers grounded 40 Qantas flights over a series of days following a similar dispute.
