AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2011
VIC:Qantas training strike-breaking staff in US
MELBOURNE, April 5 AAP - Qantas has been preparing for industrial action by secretly
training its managers in the US in ground-handling operations.
According to Fairfax newspapers the airline has been readying its managers since before
Christmas for the prospect of industrial action by ground staff, including baggage and
ramp handlers later this year.
The report says the strike-busting training by private contractors at Los Angeles Airport
includes loading and unloading aircraft, as well as driving trucks in restricted airport
areas.
A Qantas spokesman said managers had been sent to the US, something the airline had
done during industrial disputes over the past 10 years.
"This type of contingency measure is important to ensure our passengers can continue
to fly as normal in the event of union-led strikes," he said.
The airline is engaged in intense negotiations with unions representing both licensed
aircraft engineers and 1700 long-haul pilots for months.
But it is the airline's thousands of workers represented by the Transport Workers Union,
such as the baggage handlers, refuellers and catering staff, who are considered most likely
to take industrial action later this year.
AAP jxt/ht
KEYWORD: QANTAS
� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
No comments:
Post a Comment