Qantas domestic
and international services remain grounded until further notice.
Since the
grounding at 5pm yesterday over 68,000 passengers have been impacted with 447
flights cancelled.
Fair Work
Australia will reconvene at 2pm today to consider the Federal Government’s
application for termination or suspension of the industrial disputes between
Qantas and the Australian Licensed Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport
Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA).
QANTAS
RESPONDS TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION
Qantas today announced
that, from 8pm AEDT on Monday 31 October 2011, it will lock out all employees
who will be covered by the industrial agreements currently being negotiated
with the
Australian Licensed
Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian
and International Pilots Union (AIPA).
This step is being taken
under the provisions of the Fair Work Act in response to industrial action
taken by these unions. The financial impact of action taken to date has reached
$68 million and the action is costing Qantas approximately $15 million per week
in lost revenue. Approximately 70,000 passengers have been affected and more
than 600 flights cancelled.
Pilots, licensed engineers
and baggage, ground and catering staff are essential to Qantas operations and
the lock-out will therefore make it necessary for all Qantas aircraft to be
grounded. For precautionary reasons, this will take place immediately (as at
5pm AEDT, Saturday 29 October 2011).
Aircraft currently in the
air will complete the sectors they are operating. However, there will be no
further Qantas domestic departures or international departures anywhere in the
world. This will have an estimated financial impact on Qantas of $20 million
per day.
The lock-out will continue
until the ALAEA, the TWU and AIPA drop the extreme demands that have made it impossible
for agreements to be reached.
Jetstar flights,
QantasLink flights and Qantas flights across the Tasman operated by Jetconnect
will continue.
Express Freighters
Australia and Atlas Freighters will also continue to operate.
Requirements for employees
are as follows:
Until the lock-out
commences, all employees are required at work as normal and will be paid.
Once the lock-out
commences:
employees who are locked
out will not be required at work and will not be paid.
employees working overseas
will not be locked out and will continue to be paid.
all other employees are
required at work and will be paid as normal.
Customers booked on Qantas
flights should not go to the airport until further notice. A full refund will be
available to any customer who chooses to cancel their flight because it has
been directly affected by the grounding of the fleet. Full rebooking
flexibility will be available to customers who wish to defer their travel.
Assistance with
accommodation and alternative flights, as well as other support, will be
offered to customers who are mid-journey.
Customers should monitor
qantas.com for the latest updates. The latest information will also be posted
on Qantas’ Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Only customers travelling
within the next 24 hours should call Qantas contact centres (on 13 13 13).
Qantas regrets that this
action has become necessary and apologises sincerely to all affected
passengers.
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