ID :
211548
Thu, 10/06/2011 - 12:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/211548
The shortlink copeid
Qantas strikes off, but delays will remain
SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct 06 - Qantas baggage handlers and ground staff have called off nationwide strikes planned for Friday.
But the airline says cancellation of the two-hour work stoppages is too late to save passengers from flight cancellations and delays.
Transport Workers Union (TWU) members were due to walk off the job at major airports across the country on Friday afternoon as part of an ongoing row with Qantas over pay and conditions.
But around 5pm (AEDT) on Thursday the union announced the strikes were off, calling the decision a "significant gesture of good faith" by its members.
"The Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU) has called off tomorrow's planned two-hour stoppage at airports across the country," it said in a statement.
"The union is seeking a serious engagement from Qantas about job security for its workforce and reasonable pay increases over the life of the next enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA)."
The Flying Kangaroo slammed the TWU, calling the decision a "cynical" tactic.
It has cancelled 17 flights and delayed another 29, affecting around 6000 passengers.
"Qantas has already published the new schedule including 17 cancelled flights and 29 delayed flights," the airline said in a statement.
"Customers are already being contacted alerting them to changes to their flights, planes have been changed and repositioned, and employees including pilots and cabin crew have been redeployed.
"We have also notified air traffic control of the new schedule."
Qantas spokeswoman Olivia Wirth apologised to affected passengers.
"We would like to reinstate services, but it's just too late. You can't just turn an airline on and off," she added.
Members of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) are pushing ahead with plans for a one-hour work stoppage at Melbourne Airport from 3pm on Friday, likely causing some minor delays for passengers.
Meanwhile, Qantas said on Thursday that it had reached a new enterprise bargaining agreement with the union representing its short-haul cabin crew.
The agreement with the Flight Attendants Association of Australia would go to a vote in about three weeks, the airline said.
The three-year agreement includes a three per cent pay increase each year as well as an annual $500 lump-sum payment.
But the airline says cancellation of the two-hour work stoppages is too late to save passengers from flight cancellations and delays.
Transport Workers Union (TWU) members were due to walk off the job at major airports across the country on Friday afternoon as part of an ongoing row with Qantas over pay and conditions.
But around 5pm (AEDT) on Thursday the union announced the strikes were off, calling the decision a "significant gesture of good faith" by its members.
"The Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU) has called off tomorrow's planned two-hour stoppage at airports across the country," it said in a statement.
"The union is seeking a serious engagement from Qantas about job security for its workforce and reasonable pay increases over the life of the next enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA)."
The Flying Kangaroo slammed the TWU, calling the decision a "cynical" tactic.
It has cancelled 17 flights and delayed another 29, affecting around 6000 passengers.
"Qantas has already published the new schedule including 17 cancelled flights and 29 delayed flights," the airline said in a statement.
"Customers are already being contacted alerting them to changes to their flights, planes have been changed and repositioned, and employees including pilots and cabin crew have been redeployed.
"We have also notified air traffic control of the new schedule."
Qantas spokeswoman Olivia Wirth apologised to affected passengers.
"We would like to reinstate services, but it's just too late. You can't just turn an airline on and off," she added.
Members of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) are pushing ahead with plans for a one-hour work stoppage at Melbourne Airport from 3pm on Friday, likely causing some minor delays for passengers.
Meanwhile, Qantas said on Thursday that it had reached a new enterprise bargaining agreement with the union representing its short-haul cabin crew.
The agreement with the Flight Attendants Association of Australia would go to a vote in about three weeks, the airline said.
The three-year agreement includes a three per cent pay increase each year as well as an annual $500 lump-sum payment.
