Qantas reaction: It’madness, it’s blackmail say pilots
Qantas’ decision to ground the entire Qantas fleet is "holding a knife to the nation’s throat" and CEO Alan Joyce has "gone mad", the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) says.
The Age, carrying an AAP story, quoted AIPA vice president Richard Woodward as saying the move was "premeditated, unnecessary and grossly irresponsible".
"Alan Joyce is holding a knife to the nation’s throat," Captain Woodward said.
"No-one predicted this, because no one thought Alan Joyce was completely mad.
"This is a stunning overreaction. It is straight-up blackmail.
"I knew he was trying to kill Qantas, but I didn’t know he wanted to do it this quickly.
"This is a grave and serious situation and the board should move to sack Mr Joyce immediately. This is the saddest day of my 25 years with Qantas."
He said AIPA’s industrial action has been limited to making brief, positive in-flight announcements and wearing red ties.
"In response to this, Mr Joyce has now locked out every pilot working for Qantas. This is nothing short of crazy behaviour," he said.
"Mr Joyce is stranding thousands of Qantas passengers all across the globe so he can engage in his mad game of one-upmanship. All so he can pursue his delusion that Qantas should be an Asian airline, instead of an Australian one.
"We believe this action is unlawful and we are currently seeking legal advice.â€~
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