19 June 2008

Qantas has today (19 June) said it will take all necessary measures to minimise the impact of strike action by the Australian Licensed Engineers Association (ALAEA) planned for next week over pay.

The ALAEA has announced industrial action in five major cities after failing to agree a pay deal. The union had asked for a 5% wage increase for 1,500 engineers but the airline has refused this and only offered 3%.

The union is determined to disrupt the travel plans of Qantas customers, and we are equally determined to minimise the impact of its strike action, said Qantas general manager, Kevin Brown.

Oil Prices
This is more bad news for the Australian airline as it has already announced cuts on certain key international routes due to the current high price of oil.

This is the second time this year Qantas has been faced with an engineering dispute. Last month the ALAEA staged a two-day strike which caused the airline to cancel several flights.

Brown added, We have no intention of changing our current wages policy given the extraordinary pressures we are facing with record fuel prices, and we will not compromise the future competitiveness of our business.

We have already begun planning scheduled adjustments and will monitor our operations closely. We expect to get all customers to their destination on the day they choose to fly. Where flights are cancelled or rescheduled, affected customers will be contacted and re-booked on alternative services.