Unions question Qantas Board

Qantas employee shareholders from across Australia will today ask the Qantas Board to guarantee their job security and working conditions when the company is soon split into four parts.

The employee shareholders – who are members of the Transport Workers’ Union, the Australian Services Union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, the Australian International Pilots Association and the Flight Attendants Association – will all subject the Board to questioning at today’s AGM.

National Secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union Tony Sheldon said “The Qantas board has generously rewarded themselves this year while Qantas families have been left in the dark about their job security and working conditions. Its time the Qantas board guaranteed that no jobs will be lost under any future company break up.”

ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White said, “Despite Qantas executives paying themselves millions in executive bonuses, they continue to reduce staff numbers and cut standards and below average pay rises.” “This has meant a decline in customer service standards at Qantas around the country.

“We need to continue our intense campaign to highlight the double standards and penny pinching antics of the Qantas executives.” “Qantas Customers and staff deserve a better deal.”

Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Glenn Thompson said, “The uncertainty of Qantas commitment to maintain its current and future aircraft in Australian needs to be put to bed.” “The Qantas board needs to reassure its workforce to give them and their family’s certainty.”

Qantas employee and shareholder Ian Sherwood said, “tToday is about getting some answers from the Board regarding our job security should the company be split up.” “Qantas workers have been kept in the dark long enough.”

A Report by The Mole