Qantas pilots have put the company on notice, giving management seven days to present a solution to their calls for job security.
The latest threat to Qantas operations comes as engineers at the airline prepare to stop work for one hour on Friday, forcing Qantas to cancel 31 flights affecting around 2500 passengers and delay another 46 flights during tomorrow’s morning-peak.
The Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Union has instructed around 1600 members to walk off the job between 8am-9am tomorrow as part of industrial action for a new agreement on pay and conditions.
Qantas passengers could face further delays and cancellations next week if the airline’s pilots go ahead with industrial action.
The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) said it had "drawn a line in the sand" because Qantas management was not negotiating seriously.
It said if Qantas did not signal a change of intent by close of business on Thursday next week, the union would take the first steps towards protected industrial action.
"Qantas management has had our claims since October last year," APIA president Barry Jackson said.
"What AIPA is asking for is very straightforward. If it’s a Qantas flight it should be operated by a Qantas pilot. It’s that simple."
