More than 1,000 Qantas and Jetstar engineers have threatened to strike, demanding a massive 12 per cent pay rise.
The workers are considering 12-hour strikes – the length of a shift – and overtime bans as part of the industrial action which would likely cause havoc for travellers.
The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association federal secretary Steve Purvinas said some staff hadn’t had their pay increased in four years, while taking a swipe at Qantas CEO Alan Joyce who takes home about $2million a year.
‘The airline has not taken negotiations seriously,’ said Mr Purvinas.
More than 1,000 Qantas and Jetstar engineers have threatened to strike, demanding a massive 12 per cent pay rise
‘There have been years of meetings and no progress. The overpaid CEO (Alan Joyce) expects all workers to freeze their wages as the board tucks away bonus and share options for Qantas executives.’
The ALAEA has been granted permission by the Fair Work Commission to conduct a vote among members on whether industrial action needed to be taken.
The vote closes on August 10, meaning the earliest possible strikes wouldn’t be seen until mid-August.
Mr Purvinas said because some workers hadn’t been given a raise in four years, the 12 per cent demand would equate to a 3 per bent bump each year.
A Qantas spokesperson said: ‘We’re disappointed the ALAEA has taken this step given we’ve been negotiating in good faith on the agreements. This action from the union is completely unnecessary.
‘With the industry still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, the last thing it needs is the threat of industrial action.
Qantas say the proposed industrial action is ‘completely unnecessary’ and contingency plans are in store to minimise disruptions
‘Should the union proceed with industrial action, we have contingency plans to minimise any disruptions.
‘The (12 per cent pay rise) is something we simply can’t afford and is well above wage increases for other employees across the Group.
‘Negotiations for Jetstar and Network Aviation’s engineers agreements recommenced in May, so it is completely unreasonable to take this step given we’re still early in the process.’
Network Aviation is a Qantas-owned airline based in Perth.
More to come
