Dixon slams Union

Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon yesterday pulled no punches when discussing his airlines’ plans for future growth and employee re-structuring during an interview on Channel Seven’s Sunday Sunrise program.

Asked if industriail relations reform was high on Qantas’ agenda he replied  “…we do need reform of the way we do our business and that indeed could involve the unions, obviously involves our people, but it’s not just that. We need to find efficiencies right throughout…..that could involve – yes, that could involve changes to the way our people operate. A matter of fact that’s silly – it will involve changes to the way our people operate.”

Asked if the Federal Governments new IR reforms would assist in making those changes he said  “..We’d be very interested in having a look at it. We’ve had an input. Kevin Brown, who heads up our people area, has had quite a lot of meetings with the government. Whenever I’m talking to the government I say I think it is an issue. We’re not out there saying everything is bad about things but we believe there are things that could be reformed.”

He was then asked for his opinion on the International Cabin Crew Union, and whether or not he believed the crews would be better off without it..

“I believe they would be but I’m not seeking that. My view of the current hierarchy of the long haul flight attendants union is pretty much predicated on their behaviour over the last 18 months, and I just think it is absolutely unacceptable for them, every time they sit down, to threaten strike, because when you threaten strike in this industry that involves people saying, ‘Look, we better not book because that airline might not be flying.”

“They have tried to damage this company commercially three times, I think, in the last 12 months and I think it’s unforgivable.”

Should be an interesting time around the negotiating table in the weeks and months ahead.