Organiser Chris Gill gives an update of the campaigns in the airlines industry.
Qantas General As previously reported Qantas and Airline Partners Australia were unable to procure enough shares to buy out Qantas. Given the latest call on one of the biggest players in the APA bid there are some very relieved Qantas executives that the bid did not succeed.
The issue about the significant change to the division of Qantas into the four commercial streams has now evolved into the joint venture between Qantas and Jetset World Travel.
This venture will be 58% owned by Qantas but the employees of the new Company will not be direct Qantas employees and therefore will not receive the associated benefits.
We are currently in discussions with Qantas with regards to a collective agreement for the new Company. There are significant impacts on the existing staff that will be allocated to this venture. This was noted by the six new membership applications when the announcement was made.
Qantas have finally signed of on EBA 8 which incorporates the Airline Officers Award clauses and a rollover of all the EBA clauses, all prohibited matters have been agreed to on side agreements with the Union. The EBA won 3% per annum for 3 years with a 1% increase in the superannuation payment to 10% and 12 weeks paid maternity leave (10 weeks EBA 12 weeks policy) and access to 104 weeks parental leave. All existing penalty rates and loadings have been retained.
Qantas Domestic The provisions in EBA 8 have addressed Qantas’ attempt to lower the entry level at airports to a level to limited position by providing a fixed 6 months training and probation at level 2 with an automatic increase to level 3 at the end of the 6 months.
The union ran an interim claim on conversion of part time employees who have exceeded the cap of hours under the Agreement and have had eight positions converted to full time. With the assistance of the local work place committee we are now pursuing further conversions to full time. This issue has reactivated the committee and seen 3 new delegates appointed at the domestic terminal.
Qantas Holidays QFH is the area most affected by the QF Jetset venture. The current staff has been told they will remain employees of QFH, however this is a subsidiary of Qantas Airways and they will not receive all the benefits the now receive. This and other changes have caused grave concerns to the staff at QFH and the union is in the process of meeting with management to address these issues.
Qantas Business Travel QBT is the other section involved with the joint venture but they will not have any change to their conditions as they are direct employees of Qantas Airways. Given management's record with changes and restructuring the staff are justifiably concerned.
Qantas Express Ticket There is an under payment claim for members being pursued by the Union at this site. The claim has been under review for several months. After a wages inspection by our organiser, management have now conceded to accept a back pay claim.
Eastern Airlines Eastern Airlines (Qantaslink) have had several meetings on the renegotiation of the expired Collective Enterprise Agreement. With the change of Government and revision of the WorkChoices restrictions the Union is attempting to finalise the Collective Agreement within the next two meetings with management.
Jetstar The Jetstar Collective Agreement 3 has finally been signed off. Members received 3% each year for 3 years and a $750.00 sign off bonus.
Emirates The Union is seeking a Union Agreement with Emirates to replace their expired non Union Agreement. Shift work staff lost several conditions under the last agreement. Management are attempting to push through a renewed version of the Agreement.
Japan Airlines There has been no movement of wages in the expired non-union agreement for over 4 years at this airline and management are not inclined to enter into a Union agreement. The union has had meetings with members and management in an attempt to move JAL to negotiate an agreement.
Australian Air Express The union has been involved in discussions with members and management with regards to the proposed move of their “back room” operation from Sydney domestic Terminal to a central operations centre at Greenacre. With the current industrial climate still under change many airlines including Qantas are exploring ways to reduce costs by outsourcing their ground handling operations. Some are actually owned by airline companies to contract their work at lower wages and conditions. Often the staff, displaced by the outsourcing of the work, are employed by the contractors at the lower rates.
