Trouble brewing for Qantas

Trouble seems to be brewing for Qantas with the influential Transport Workers Union who represents 9000 of Qantas's baggage, ramp, refuelling, fleet & catering staff, joining the Pilots and Engineers in threatening strike action over Qantas's use of outside labour, threatening the "job safety" of union members.

"Over the past few years, Qantas has made it clear to the workforce that the undermining of wages and conditions and job security is part of its business model," the union's federal secretary, Tony Sheldon, told The Australian. "Job security will, without a doubt, be part of these negotiations with our workplace committee, and if a settlement is not reached, industrial action is definitely on the table and will be put to the members."

 One positive for Qantas though is they have struck and in-principle agreement with the union representing check in and administrative staff.

Things may become very "interesting" for Qantas if they do suffer strike action from basically all union staff except check in and admin, if the strike action was to go ahead then the airline would effectively be grounded with no unionised airside staff working.

Read the full article including the TWU position as written by theaustralian.com.au's Industrial editor Ewin Hannan HERE