FED: Qantas says flights won't be disrupted over Xmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2001
FED: Qantas says flights won't be disrupted over Xmas

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - Qantas passengers would not suffer any disruptions to flights
over the Christmas period, despite threats of industrial action by unions, the airline
said today.

Qantas chief executive officer Geoff Dixon said no Christmas flight would be affected.

Two Qantas maintenance unions have refused to accept an 18-month wage freeze from the
airline and have not ruled out taking industrial action over Christmas.

The unions involved, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) and the Australian
Workers' Union (AWU), however have denied the action was intended to disrupt flights.

Members of both unions took part in a secret ballot ordered by the Australian Industrial
Relations Commission (AIRC), but voted overwhelmingly to reject the wage freeze.

Mr Dixon said he was disappointed members of the AMWU and AWU had voted against the
Qantas package.

But he said further talks were taking place with unions.

"We have offered them a new classification structure, significantly improved career
opportunities with many more higher level positions and bonus payments for staff who acquire
additional qualifications," Mr Dixon said.

He said the incentive scheme would deliver staff a bonus worth three per cent of their
annual salary if Qantas matches last year's profit result.

Higher payments will be made if Qantas exceeds last year's profit, he said.

Mr Dixon said nine of the airline's unions representing some 92 per cent of the Qantas'
workforce had agreed to a wage freeze for 12 to 18 months together with the incentive
scheme.

Talks between the airline and the two maintenance unions are continuing in the AIRC in Melbourne.

AAP nd/arb/mg/de

KEYWORD: QANTAS WAGES AIRLINE

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