Qantas engineers across Australia have walked off the job in a 24-hour strike starting Wednesday morning, following repeated industrial actions by workers across major airports this past month, after the airline refused to meet with workers to discuss the latest enterprise agreement.
Engine components maintenance engineers in Melbourne will strike for 24 hours from 9 AM AEDT on Wednesday the 23rd of October with a large rally expected at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport’s International Terminal from 10 AM AEDT. Brisbane Heavy Maintenance Engineers will also strike from 1:30 AM AEST for 24 hours, with a large rally planned at the Brisbane International Terminal from 9 AM AEST.
The Qantas Engineers’ Alliance — a union alliance comprising the AMWU, the AWU, and the ETU — said further action was necessary after Qantas management refused to return to the bargaining table and increase its previous offer. The current enterprise agreement expired at the end of June, and the Alliance has put forward a wage claim of 5 percent per year, with a 15 percent first-year increase to compensate for 3.5 years of wage freezes and as an industry catch-up payment.
Steve Murphy, AMWU National Secretary, said: “Union members are voting overwhelmingly to escalate our industrial activities. This is because every time there is a problem at Qantas, the executives ignore it and just hope that it will go away. Well we’re not going anywhere. If Qantas wants to show the general public that things are going to change, then valuing the workers that deliver their safety record should be number one priority.”
Paul Farrow, AWU National Secretary, said: “When times were tough, our members accepted years of wage freezes. Now that the profits are flowing, it’s time for Qantas to come to the table with a decent offer. No more delays, no more excuses.” Qantas wouldn’t have the safety record it does without the work our members do every day to keep these planes in the air.”
Michael Wright, ETU National Secretary, said: “It’s disgraceful for Qantas to be making profits in the billions while these highly skilled workers are having to go without the pay increase they rightfully deserve. These workers have suffered wage freezes through COVID, all while continuing to make Qantas one of the safest airlines around. Qantas needs to stop stalling, start showing their respect to these workers and pay them what they’re worth.”
Qantas told 9News.com.au the airline had “worked hard to put contingencies in place” during the strike and didn’t expect any impact on customers. “There’s been some industrial action by engineers since late September and so far we’ve been able to successfully ensure it hasn’t resulted in any flight delays or cancellations,” a Qantas spokesperson said. “Our teams continue to do a great job helping customers get to their destination safely.”
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