United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Qantas ordered to pay up after losing JobKeeper legal fight
Qantas was found guilty of short-changing employees in the JobKeeper scheme, and is now potentially on the hook for millions of dollars in back pay.
The Federal Court ruled against Qantas in a landmark decision after unions filed legal action.
The court ruled Qantas wrongly implemented the wage subsidy so that overtime wasn’t paid until the following fortnight pay cycle, which effectively reduced pay for some workers including, baggage handlers and cabin crew.
If a worker was stood down in the next pay cycle, he or she would potentially lose the overtime payments.
"This is an important win for Qantas workers who have had their pay raided by senior management in a disgraceful abuse of the JobKeeper scheme," the Transport Workers Union National Secretary Michael Kaine said.
"These workers have endured systematic wage theft at the hands of an out of control management."
This issue stems from Qantas’ existing workplace agreements with some groups of workers who are paid penalty rates for hours not required during a two-week pay cycle.
Justice Geoffrey Flick said: "The amount received by the employee during the second fortnight being the JobKeeper payment, cannot be ‘set off’ or otherwise called to account by Qantas to relieve it of its obligation to also pay the JobKeeper payment,"
Qantas slammed the ruling and is considering appealing.
"Qantas management had the full support of taxpayers during this crisis, receiving $800 million in public funding. It has taken that money and abused our systems, ripping workers off and planning to outsource workers," Kaine added.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor
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.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel