Pilots' union rules out strike action

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 12 years ago

Pilots' union rules out strike action

The pilots' union says it does not plan to take strike action over an unresolved dispute with Qantas management, but expects the dispute to escalate.

Qantas is grounding five of its aircraft from this morning due to an ongoing industrial dispute with maintenance engineers.

The Australian and International Pilots Association claims Qantas management has walked away from negotiations before Fair Work Australia, a claim Qantas has repeatedly denied.

Loading

Qantas spokeswoman Olivia Wirth says the pilots' claims are unreasonable.

"We simply cannot accept the claim on the table that indicates they want Jetstar and JetConnect pilots to be paid the same wages and conditions as Qantas pilots," she told ABC radio this morning.

"We are very much committed to these negotiations, however this one claim makes it very difficult for negotiations to make any headway and make any progress."

She said if Qantas were to agree to the claim, it would drive up airfares for customers.

"It would also risk jobs for all other employees at Qantas," she said.

Late last week, the airline announced it had cancelled 400 domestic flights over the next month following the grounding of five aircraft.

Advertisement

Qantas says that equates to about 15 flights a day.

Captain Richard Woodward, vice president of the Australian and International Pilots Association, said he expected the industrial campaign to escalate, but ruled out taking strike action.

"We have options to take up a range of industrial action, including stoppages," he told ABC radio.

"We don't intend on doing that. We don't want to disrupt the travelling public.

"We know they pay our wages and they also have a lot of faith in us as the pilots of the aircraft, so we are trying to keep the show on the road."

Any further industrial action by aircraft engineers is on hold until Qantas's annual general meeting later this month.

AIPA president Barry Jackson said he was "baffled" by the airline's attempts to deny the decision to walk away from talks.

"There is no ambiguity here: Qantas management has officially opted to walk away from conciliation before Fair Work Australia," Captain Jackson said in a statement today.

"Any claim to the contrary is blatant and deliberate deception.

"I urge Qantas management to return to the negotiating table immediately."

AAP

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading