Computer rendering of a Qantas Airbus A321neo. Source: Qantas
QANTAS passengers will face disruption in their travel plans after airline engineers went on strike from today (Thursday, September 26) for higher wages.
Strike action started at Melbourne and further action is planned over the next two weeks nationwide at all major airports.
A Qantas spokesman has told media outlets that contingencies were in place and that passengers would not be affected.
The Qantas Engineers’ Alliance comprises the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), Australian Workers Union (AWU) and Electrical Trades Union (ETU).
They say engineers saw their skills devalued by the airline and their wages go backward significantly over the past decade.
The Alliance wants a 5 percent rise per year and a 15 percent first year payment to make up for 3.5 years of wage freezes.
AMWU National Secretary Steve Murphy says “nothing has changed” at Qantas.
“Our highly skilled members deserve fair wages for the incredible work they do to keep us all safe in the air,” he says
AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow says Qantas engineers are dedicated to getting passengers where they need to go safely and on time.
“As a former aircraft engineer, I know they never take industrial action lightly,” he says.
“On this occasion their hand has been forced because Qantas management is refusing to countenance a fair deal.
“You can’t expect to announce billions in profits and executive bonuses and simultaneously tell the engineers who keep your planes safe to take less and less home to their families. At some point people are going to say enough.”
ETU National Secretary Michael Wright says aircraft engineers are highly skilled whose services are in demand.
“Qantas traditionally attracted the very best and brightest, and they are why it has the amazing safety record it has today,” he says.
“But if management insists on treating its engineers like garbage then it’s pretty obvious to see what’s going to happen.”
Mr Wright says the airline is having to offshore maintenance because they can’t retain quality engineers and are struggling to attract new skilled engineers.
