Qantas ordered to compensate illegally fired workers

Tuesday, 22 Oct, 2024 1

A court ordered Qantas Airways to pay a combined A$170,000 ($114,000) to three of the airport ground workers it fired in the fire and rehire scheme in 2020, already deemed illegal.

The airline let 1,700 former workers go whose jobs were then outsourced.

Judge Michael Lee said Qantas must pay for non-economic loss for their firing and all their other colleagues.

The carrier will now use these three payouts as ‘test cases’ to agree payouts to all others with the union.

It could cost the company up to A$100 million, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) says.

Last year a court found the airline guilty of illegally firing the workers.

The airline recently agreed a settlement to pay more than A$100 million for selling tickets on ‘ghost flights’ that Qantas knowingly had no intention of flying.

“Qantas says it’s turned over a new leaf,” said Michael Kaine, national secretary of the Transport Workers Union.

“It’s time to prove it. After relentlessly prolonging this case and denying workers justice, Qantas must do everything in its power to ensure appropriate compensation.”

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said: “We know that the onus is on Qantas to learn from this”.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

Travel specialists founded the company in 1999 as AC Tours. Since then we have grown and expanded to incorporate four...

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers guests An Unrivaled Experience® with every luxury included. Carrying...

With long periods of Thailand’s History, according to evidences and studies, Sukhothai was the first kingdom of Thailand. At that time, an early Thai...

A state like no other. A place known for togetherness, celebration and happiness. In Louisiana, we call it “joie de...

Here at Elegant Resorts, luxury travel is in our DNA. True pioneers in the industry, we were the first specialist...

Our Mission Ecommerce has transformative powers, and we believe everyone should be able to take part. But outdated solutions and...

Take your clients’ vacation to the next level at Universal Orlando Resort™. With three amazing theme parks – Universal Studios...

The Polish Tourism Organisation (Polska Organizacja Turystyczna – POT) is one of several dozen national tourism organisations operating in the...

City Cruises is a leading operator of sightseeing, dining and charter services operating in London, York and Poole. We offer...

Princess Hotels & Resorts is a hotel chain specialising in holiday and urban hotels located in first class tourist destinations,...

Arival advances the business of creating amazing in-destination experiences. We provide events, insights, and community for creators and sellers of...