Qantas to lay off another 2,000 workers
Qantas has defended its decision to cut another 2,000 jobs and replace them with outsourced labour.
Despite heavy criticism, the airline will lay off 2,000 ground crew, baggage handlers and aircraft cleaners at 10 airports.
"COVID has turned aviation upside down," Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said in a statement.
"Airlines around the world are having to make dramatic decisions in order to survive and the damage will take years to repair."
The plan was first mooted in August when Qantas said it needed to restructure ground handling operations to meet the challenges of the Covid pandemic.
It believes it can save up to $100 million a year by restructuring.
The Transport Workers Union had submitted a competing bid using the existing workforce but it was rejected by the airline.
"Even with the involvement of a large accounting firm, the bid falls well short of what the specialist external providers were able to come up with," David said.
Labor’s industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke slammed the airline.
"Two thousand Australians who have given tremendous loyalty to Qantas for their working lives have now discovered that loyalty is not repaid," Burke said.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps