Qantas directors' donkey vote

Donkeys in India scored a 33 percent pay rise in the same week 
that Qantas directors voted themselves 66 percent hikes. The 
Indian animals, used to collect rubbish in the narrow lanes of 
Lucknow, have been paid the same grass and fodder allowance for 
many years despite inflation.

The donkeys' rise will take them from the equivalent of 300 
Rupees ($15.00) to 400 Rupees a month, effective from the Diwali 
festival on November 14.

Many companies use the festival to give bonuses to employees. The 
Hindu goddess of money is worshipped on the day.

While no Indian asses were available for comment, Qantas chief 
executive Geoff Dixon was braying about fee hikes for his board 
members.

The move has prompted Qantas technicians to adopt a "six for 
sixty-six" approach to EBA negotiations. The maintenance workers 
want six percent pay increase, pointing to the 66 percent pay 
rise directors voted themselves and the airline's record $660 
million profit — up 90 percent.

The Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers' Association Federal 
Secretary David Kemp believes the enormous expertise of tech 
staff is impossible to replace, as opposed to the directors who 
voted themselves an extra "cool million" a head.

"Tech staff do the invaluable work of aircraft maintenance 
logistics, and integration", noted Mr Kemp, "as well as saving 
millions in expert cost analysis, planning and scheduling.

"They deserve the full six percent boost and no less."