$2 BILLION QANTAS PROFIT A KICK IN THE GUTS FOR ILLEGALLY SACKED WORKERS STILL OWED COMPENSATION: TWU

The TWU says a second consecutive year Qantas underlying profit exceeding $2 billion is gut-wrenching for illegally sacked workers whom the airline argued in the Federal Court should receive no compensation.

A compensation decision from the Federal Court is pending after hearings concluded in May.

Qantas asked the Federal Court to “surgically remove” its illegal conduct from consideration and accept that the airline would have found other legal grounds to outsource the workers. The airline denied workers should receive a dollar of compensation for economic and non-economic losses for hurt and humiliation.

The union says it has only been in recent weeks, following John Mullen’s appointment as new Chairman, that signs of a turnaround have begun to show.

The TWU has welcomed the commitments to act on the recent damning governance review report, the refusal to pay Joyce’s $9 million bonus, and the exit of General Counsel Andrew Finch.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:

“A $4.5 billion underlying profit over two years is a kick in the guts to illegally sacked workers.

“It’s been 350 days since the High Court upheld that Qantas’ sacking of 1700 workers was unlawful, but those workers have still not received a dollar of compensation. Qantas could have settled this months ago, but has chosen not to – instead arguing in court that illegally sacked workers should not receive a dollar.

“Workers, passengers and the community are still angry with Qantas after years of self-interested, profit-motivated executive decisions. In June, SkyTrax World airline ratings had Qantas at a 10-year low.

“Refusing to pay Joyce his bonus, committing to act on the recommendations of a damning governance review, and turfing out Andrew Finch, who has presided over illegal outsourcing and fought workers at every turn, is a promising start from new Chairman John Mullen. There’s still a long way to go for Qantas to earn back trust and give workers their fair share.

“Profit after eyewatering profit while workers struggle to recover from decades of wage suppression, outsourcing and bearing the brunt of downturns proves why we need to see systemic change in this industry. A Safe and Secure Skies Commission must be established to rein in corporate greed and set standards for good, secure jobs and service standards.”

While Jetstar delivered its highest result, its cabin crew are some of the lowest paid in the industry. The TWU has made Same Job Same Pay applications for Jetstar’s labour hire cabin crew working for Altara and Qantas Group subsidiary Team Jetstar.