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Issue No. 303 | 21 April 2006 |
Brand Spanking
Interview: Head On Unions: Do You Have a Moment? Industrial: Vital Signs Economics: Taxing Times Environment: It Ain�t Necessarily So History: Melbourne�s Hours Immigration: Opening the Floodgates Review: Pollie Fiction Poetry: The Cabal
Control Freak Turns Hand to AWAs �Clean Start� Sweeps Into Action Fleas Leave Andrews Scratching The $130 Question: What is He On? Apprentices Assume Missionary Position Rights At Work Worth Playing For
Politics Politics The Soapbox Postcard The Locker Room Obituary
Lying Lies And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them II What Tax Cuts? Belly Says It�s Time A Word Of Warning Stop Mexican Revolution Well That Clears That Up Then
Labor Council of NSW |
News Qantas Sackings Grounded
Legal action by the AMWU has seen the airline ordered to hand over paperwork on its maintenance operations, including secret comparisons with offshore operators. The Commission has also told the company to put hundreds of planned Sydney job cuts on hold while it consults with the unions to try to "avert or minimise the terminations". AMWU National Secretary, Doug Cameron, said the decision showed the AIRC did not trust Qantas to keep its word. "Qantas did not meet its obligations when it announced 480 jobs would be cut". "This is a significant victory for our members and it's a significant victory for the Australian public because the best thing we can do is maintain every possible job we can in Australia", Cameron said. "These are highly skilled and very important jobs that provide Qantas with its reputation for reliability and safety." "Qantas now has to go through a proper consultation process that should lead to a better outcome for workers. "I am confident that once we see the detail, it will be evident Qantas made this decision on cost-cutting grounds and that maintenance services would be affected." Qantas has indicated it will abide by the Commission's decision. A spokesperson said the company would hand over the documents and consult with unions representing maintenance workers. Legal counsel for the AMWU, Anney Gooley, said that such a decision would not have been possible under the new Howard Government's new industrial laws. She said the unions' action had been commenced prior to the new laws coming into effect. "It is only reasonable for workers and their unions to have proper information and to be consulted about the future of their jobs," Cameron continued. "Under the new laws workers would not have this right." The AMWU has sent information about the decision to all Qantas maintenance members.
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