Qantas long-haul pilots to take industrial action this week
Qantas has reassured passengers that they will not be affected by industrial action planned by the airline's long-haul pilots on Friday.
It says it is not anticipating any flight delays or cancellations in spite of the disruption to normal working procedures, although it has yet to receive final details of the proposed industrial action by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA).
The pilots dispute is about pay, perks and job security, including fears that Qantas is increasingly looking to Singapore as the base for many of its operations.
According to Qantas, the pilots’ demands include:
– Two free of charge international economy tickets each year (upgradeable to First), in addition to already heavily discounted airfares;
– Qantas to fund two full time union officials at a cost of up to $1 million per year and
– Discounted Qantas Club membership for pilots and their families.
Qantas says the dispute is about “the pilots’ union attempting to force all Qantas subsidiaries including Jetstar, to pay the same high rates as Qantas.
“The claim, if it were ever conceded, would drive up airfares, cost jobs and make Qantas airlines and routes unprofitable," said the airline.
“The claim appears to be designed to damage the viability of Jetstar and other subsidiaries in the naive belief that this will lead to increased activity in Qantas."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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