Qantas workers strike over job security

by Janice Hamilton

Close to 6000 Qantas staff walked off the job on Monday in a nation-wide 
strike to support their claim for job security. Australian Services Union 
(ASU) officials have been in negotiations with Australia's major airline 
since the workers last took strike action on August 2.

Linda White, Assistant National Secretary of the ASU said job security had 
emerged as a key stumbling block in negotiations with Qantas for a new 
Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

"Qantas is posting record profits, but won't guarantee job security", she 
said.

"In fact, Qantas want their workers to compete for their own job in five 
years time in a process of competitive tendering."

Under the Qantas proposal it seems that no job is safe and workers will be 
in a situation where they will have to fight with their fellow work mates 
to retain their positions. Militant unionists will have no future if Qantas 
gets its way.

Ms White said Qantas workers have proven their commitment to the airline in 
the past by freezing their wages to maintain profitability. It is galling 
that Qantas has refused to reciprocate this commitment by not providing job 
security.

In fact it is typical employer tactics to gain concessions from workers 
with promises, rake in the extra profits and then seek even more 
concessions after breaking their promises.

"Workers have shown their commitment to Qantas, so why won't management 
show its commitment to us?", she said.

"It's reasonable to expect job security from a business making $2 million a 
day in profits."

Qantas posted a $597 million profit in the financial year of 2001 and is 
expected to make a profit of around $630 million for the financial year 
ending in June 2002. With these figures and hardly any competition it is 
not in a position to cry poor.

Ms White said, "It is regrettable that some delays will occur, the ball is 
very much in Qantas' court. The strike could have been avoided if Qantas 
was prepared to honour job security commitments."

Union members have been working to advise customers to make alternative 
arrangements to minimise any inconvenience to the public.

Union representatives met with Qantas management on August 8 and again on 
August 13, to continue negotiations following a half-day stoppage on August 
2.

Unions are also seeking a five percent wage increase as part of the ongoing 
enterprise bargaining negotiations. Qantas management is determined to push 
ahead with its agenda offering a mere three percent increase with nothing 
more.