Last-ditch talks in Qantas strike peace bid
A Report by Steve Creedy in The Australian says that Qantas management and the airline’s engineers will hold 11th-hour talks today in an attempt to avert industrial action next week but hopes of a settlement remain slim.
If no agreement is reached, rolling stoppages will begin next Wednesday.
Although both sides agree the public is unlikely to see a big impact initially, the risk of delays and of some planes being temporarily grounded will increase as the dispute drags on.
Qantas executive general manager engineering David Cox indicated yesterday there would be no change in the airline’s negotiating position.
Qantas is offering a 3 per cent pay rise in response to demands from the engineers for a 5 per cent increase, but there are other issues involving rostering and job classifications that the union sees as deal-breakers.
“We have made what we believe is a reasonable offer and remain disappointed that this has not been taken up yet,’ Mr Cox said yesterday. “Our approach tomorrow will be no different, and we remain open to finding a solution.”
Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association federal president Paul Cousins put the chances of a settlement at about one in four but said he remained an optimist.
“I think Qantas will come to their senses sooner or later and realise we’re not asking for the world, we’re only asking for a small amount in comparison to how much they’re going to have to pay out for the scab labour at$100,000 a pop,” Mr Cousins said.
The airline has yet to explain its contingency plans in detail but it has said it is seeking to employ engineers to work through the strike and it is looking at matching aircraft to routes. It has also cancelled all leave for its licensed engineers.
The union does not believe Qantas has found enough engineers in Australia to offset the industrial action.
Mr Cousins said he understood that the company had approached Virgin Blue engineers to work on their days offand was talking to John Holland Aviation Services, the successor to Ansett’s engineering operations.
He had also received reports that Qantas was planning to move employees from Singapore and had been conducting night-time training sessions for managers.
He did not believe Jetstar would be a viable source of engineers because its staff specialised in Airbus A320s, an aircraft Qantas does not operate.
A Report by The Mole from The Australian
John Alwyn-Jones
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