Qantas dispute

[robertclark125]

This has got to be one of the most unprecidented moves in transport history. Qantas, which is in dispute with three unions, grounded all its aircraft at 06:00 UK time on Saturday 29th october. Flights in the air would complete their journey, but there would be no further departures.

Added to this, from Monday, all staff involved in the dispute will be locked out, and not paid.

The boss, Alan Joyce, called his decision unbelievable, but felt he had no choice.

The locking out of staff echos the 1987/8 TV-am dispute, when 234 technical staff took a 24 hour strike over manning levels, only to be locked out, and refused entry until they accepted sweeping changes. They didn't, and were dismissed.

Whilst no one is being dismissed at Qantas, what is clear is that the management have raised the stakes in this dispute, and it now will be interesting to see who does what, and not just in Australia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15504838

Also for updates visit the qantas website www.qantas.com.au

 

[rail-britain]

This has got to be one of the most unprecidented moves in transport history
from Monday, all staff involved in the dispute will be locked out, and not paid.

Not sure how it is unprecidented, it is an industrial dispute that has escalated over several months
Qantas have tried to maintain services, but negotiations were going nowhere with some disruption at just 24 hours notice
You can't run an airline with that little notice

Good on Qantas for locking the staff out and unpaid
Get with the program, work or don't work

 

[robertclark125]

Worth pointing out to anyone reading this who is affected, as Qantas is not an EU carrier, the normal rules with disruption, such as being put up in a hotel, don't apply. But Qantas is offering to help out passengers. Check their website for details.

 

[SS4]

This has got to be one of the most unprecidented moves in transport history
from Monday, all staff involved in the dispute will be locked out, and not paid.

Not sure how it is unprecidented, it is an industrial dispute that has escalated over several months
Qantas have tried to maintain services, but negotiations were going nowhere with some disruption at just 24 hours notice
You can't run an airline with that little notice

Good on Qantas for locking the staff out and unpaid
Get with the program, work or don't work

How dare staff try and improve pay and conditions?!

 

[rail-britain]

Qantas is not an EU carrier, the normal rules with disruption, such as being put up in a hotel, don't apply

Depends on where you are and what ticket you have
For most EU destinations Qantas and BA are ticket partners, so most passengers will be covered
There are already reports of passengers with BA tickets turning up at Heathrow only to be made aware their flight is operated by Qantas and it is cancelled
They are being offered the usual compensation and alternative routes (which most seem to be taking)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

How dare staff try and improve pay and conditions?!

Absolutely disgraceful that they should turn up for a shift then announce, "Sorry we are now on strike"
These days are thankfully behind us in the UK
Customers come first, if you don't want to work then pull the plug, cancel the flight, and the shift
There is quite a difference

 

[jopsuk]

Disgraceful that the unions should try to stop work being taken away from their members and handed over to cheaper staff based in other countries...

 

[WestCoast]

Apparently you can purchase a new flight yourself on another carrier and Qantas will refund you the difference later between the cost of your original flight and the new one.

I know someone who is due to fly to Bangkok with QF from Heathrow.

Aeroflot via Moscow is apparently one option.....hock:

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Disgraceful that the unions should try to stop work being taken away from their members and handed over to cheaper staff based in other countries...

While we are on the subject, Cunard have just this past week switched to a flag of convenience, to much outrage! Full story here: http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,3630.0.html

Is nothing sacred?!

 

[WatcherZero]

The Independent Arbiter has intervened and banned industrial action by either side for 21 days. Its being seen as a victory for the airline (who did it in the first place because of the unions wildcat strikes) though the Union are claiming otherwise.

 

[SS4]

Looks like the government and Quantas bullied the arbitrator into it to be honest. You lock staff out without notice and then the decision is in your favour?

 

[WatcherZero]

The Unions had been pursing wilcat strikes since August which was leading to many cancellations after Qantas announced 1000 redudancies from their 35,000 workforce. Their losing $200m a year and need to cut costs.

 

[ainsworth74]

How is it any different if the airline lock out staff whilst staff won't even tell the airline if they're going to work or be on strike? I'm sorry but if you are going to strike you go offically on strike, you don't use wildcat tactics. It's dirty tactics all round for sure but the staff started down this road. To be honest I have no issue with Qantas taking the action they have and I think the arbiter banning industrial action (by both sides) for 21 days is a good move as it might allow heads to cool.

 

[exile]

The fact is that the Australian Pilots Union have ruled out strike action and yet their members have been locked out.

 

[rail-britain]

The fact is that the Australian Pilots Union have ruled out strike action and yet their members have been locked out.

In which case the member reserves the right to take industrial action on their own grounds, either with or without the support of their union
This then still keeps it legal
In most cases this is without the support of the union, but several employees go on strike and eventually word gets round of the date selected, as a result of which the union changes their position...

 

[radamfi]

Are there any examples of lockouts in the UK?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Are there any examples of lockouts in the UK?

I'm old enough to remember a particularly nasty long running dispute involving a lockout dominating the news when I was very young: Grunwick.

 

[lookingforit35]

How dare staff try and improve pay and conditions?!

How dare a company try to stop itself going out of business?!

Only joking, but rarely is any one side in an industrial dispute without fault. Unlike a divorce, most companies and their staff need to start talking again sooner or later. Employees need their jobs, and companies need workers. So both need to have some flexibility and acknowledge this fact.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It was interesting to note that that the statements emanating from Australian Government made "the danger to the Australian economy" the sole point of emphasis.

 

[Mike395]

It was interesting to note that that the statements emanating from Australian Government made "the danger to the Australian economy" the sole point of emphasis.

I wouldn't say that was particularly surprising - any country's flag-carrying airline shutting itself down is a huge risk to the associated economy!