Union accuses Qantas of using Thomson as cover

21 May 2012, 4:54 pm   -   Source: AAP

The Transport Workers Union says Qantas deliberately timed an announcement it was cutting jobs so it would be at the same time as Craig Thomson's address.

RELATED

A union has blasted Qantas for announcing it will slash hundreds of jobs, at the same time as MP Craig Thomson's much anticipated address to parliament.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) national secretary Tony Sheldon told reporters on Monday the announcement Qantas would be shedding 530 jobs at its Tullamarine and Avalon facilities was in line with recent decisions to move the airline's operations to Asia.

He said Qantas had deliberately announced the cuts on the same day as Mr Thomson's address to deflect attention.

"This is a strategic move by Qantas," he said.

"Their spin doctors are again working overtime to avoid the responsibility of downsizing and outsourcing a very successful airline."

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce was bent on "Asianising" the airline, Mr Sheldon said.

"He's made a very clear decision to Asianise the airline," Mr Sheldon told reporters.

"Qantas has decided to bank on overseas substandard arrangements ... with the Jetstar operations overseas, and bringing flight attendants in from Thailand.

"That is not an arrangement that Australia should be standing by."

Mr Sheldon also questioned claims by Qantas that the dumped workers could easily find jobs in the mining sector.

It would not not realistic for many workers to uproot their families and shift to "male-dominated" mining towns in WA and Queensland, he said.

Qantas

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube