Union Warning on Qantas Sackings

Date: 10 April 2003

The Australian Services Union has warned that the action by Qantas to cut 1700 jobs is short sighted. ASU Secretary Michael Want said that it is an absolute tragedy for the workers and families concerned, however believes that Qantas is not acting in the travelling public's best interests.

"Just one day after Qantas announced these job cuts, competition regulators in Australia and New Zealand rejected Qantas' proposed $550 million investment in Air New Zealand, saying that the deal would virtually eliminate any chance of fair competition in the trans-Tasman market. They did not need to look very far for evidence of how Qantas reacts to market dominance - job cuts."

"Today's announcement by the ACCC is a wake up call for management. Over the past 18 months following the collapse of Ansett, Qantas has acted arrogantly towards its workforce and has now acted with undue haste following the impact of the SARS virus and the war. Perhaps now that their purchase has been refused they could use some of the $550 million to maintain jobs and service during what is expected to be a short term down turn."

Mr Want says that the union will hold a series of workplace meetings, to decide on future action. "We are, however, calling on the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the $10 Ansett tax which has proved to be a farce. Not one cent of this will end up in the pockets of former Ansett staff, instead it has lined the government's coffers."

While Mr Want agreed that the global aviation sector is under strain he believes that Qantas has an added advantage due the their high level of market dominance in the region. "Typically, Qantas has used this dominance to act in an arrogant way rather then a constructive one. Their lack of consultation with the unions that represent their workforce is a disgrace and is fiscally irresponsible."

The union is concerned that Qantas is using the downturn of the market to obtain their long-term objective of re-structuring their workforce at the expense of permanent staff. "We will continue to fight any attack on permanent jobs."

Mr Want emphasised that the union's priority is to protect the jobs of members and provide income security for workers and their families.

For further details contact Michael Want on 0409 128 164 or (02) 9265 8211.

For further information

Contact:	Michael Want
Union:	Australian Services Union NSW Clerical & Administrative Branch
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Fax:	(02) 9261 2265
Email:	office@asuclerical-nsw.asn.au
WWW:	http://asuclerical-nsw.asn.au/

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