Qantas reveals more detail on Claims
The ASU National Negotiating team met with Qantas for our 9th meeting on the 19th August. At that meeting Qantas finally presented more detail on their claims. Your NNT are very cautious about what has been proposed; from cashing out of annual leave to the increased use of temporary employees. Qantas’ ‘flexibility’ comes at the expense of a permanent workforce and work-life balance.
25 August 2010 [full story]
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‘We want our Staff Travel’ – QHols delegates tell Qantas Management
The long awaited meeting with Qantas senior management took place in Sydney on 18th August 2010 to discuss our key EBA demands arising from the proposed Stella-Jetset Travelworld merger.
24 August 2010 [full story]
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Qantas – Its Premium for some But NOT Others!
The ASU National negotiating team met with Qantas representatives on Wednesday 4 August for Round 8 of negotiations for EBA 9.
09 August 2010 [full story]
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Discussions continue for Qantas EBA 9
The National Negotiating Team met with Qantas on 13 July 2010. We continued to discuss a number of our claims with the company. Here is a summary.
21 July 2010 [full story]
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Qantas Holidays EBA meetings continue separately
The ASU Qantas Holidays reps met with the Qantas Holidays management on 17 and 30 June 2010.
09 July 2010 [full story]
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Qantas tables a big EBA agenda
Since our last bulletin your ASU National Negotiating Team have met with Qantas management on 16 June and 1 July.
05 July 2010 [full story]
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More Qantas ASU EBA claims tabled
The ASU national negotiations team met again with Qantas management in Sydney on 4 June 2010 for Day 3 of our EBA 9 negotiations. At this meeting we tabled almost all of our remaining detailed claims. Qantas Holidays EBA representatives also met the Qantas Holidays / Jetset Travelworld Group management on 2 June 2010 in Sydney.
08 June 2010 [full story]
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And now for the detail in Qantas EBA 9
The ASU National Negotiating Team met with Qantas management in Sydney on 26 May 2010 for Day 2 of our negotiations for Qantas EBA 9. The meeting primarily focussed on the tabling and explanation of our detailed claims for this EBA which included the presentation of draft EBA clauses to further explain the Claim endorsed by ASU members. We also dealt with a range of preliminary issues.
28 May 2010 [full story]
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QHols delegates meet company
On 25 May 2010 ASU officials and delegates from Qantas Holidays and Jetset Travelworld met with various management representatives from Qantas Airways and Jetset Travel Group including Sue Bussell from Qantas Industrial Relations and Andrea Slarke, Chief Development Officer of Jetset Travelworld to discuss the recent announcement about the merger with the Stella Group.
27 May 2010 [full story]
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Qantas EBA negotiations off to a flying start
After ASU delegates across Qantas served our EBA 9 claim on local managers on 5 May 2010, the ASU National Negotiating Team (NNT) had our first meeting with the management negotiators in Sydney on Thursday 13 May. We are off to a flying start after we provided the management negotiators with a detailed overview of the claims that ASU members have endorsed for EBA 9.
14 May 2010 [full story]
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Broken promises all around at Qantas Holidays and uncertainty at QBT
Late on 12 May the Board of Jetset Travelworld Group announced a merger with Stella Travel Services after weeks of speculation that the deal was in the wind.
13 May 2010 [full story]
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ASU members endorse and serve Qantas EBA 9 Claim
After many weeks of meetings across the country, ASU members at Qantas have overwhelmingly endorsed our EBA 9 Claim. Starting today our claim will be presented to Qantas management by ASU delegates and members at various locations at organised gatherings of members celebrating the start of our “Worth respect” EBA 9 campaign.
05 May 2010 [full story]
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Qantas EBA 9 Campaign – how to get up to date information
ASU members at Qantas are now considering the recommendations from our recent Qantas National Delegates meeting about our claim for the Qantas EBA 9. We are aiming to finalise this process by early May 2010. At that time we will provide the ASU claim to Qantas management so negotiations can commence.
14 April 2010 [full story]
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Fired up – ready to go!
Around 70 ASU Qantas Group delegates from all around Australia met in Melbourne on 17 & 18 March 2010 to discuss the year ahead and in particular the preparations for this year’s bargaining agenda in the Qantas Group. Delegates from Qantas Airways, QFCL, QFIT, Jetstar and QantasLink attended to plan our strategy.
23 March 2010 [full story]
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Sex discrimination has no place in workplaces: Qantas and other employers must lift their game
Australian employers, including some of the nation’s biggest companies, must lift their game to end sex discrimination in the workplace and improve pay and opportunities for women, say unions.
03 March 2010 [full story]
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Qantas EBA 9 Survey launched!
The Qantas EBA 8 expires on 30 June 2010 and the ASU has now launched our EBA 9 Survey. For the first time in a long time ASU members will be negotiating our new EBA under fair laws: the Fair Work Act. EBA 8 was negotiated under WorkChoices which prohibited some claims and clauses – these previous problems are no longer present, it is a new era.
08 February 2010 [full story]
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Bad Karma for QF’s Airport Plans
Call it poetic justice, Karma or a taste of things to come, or maybe it was divine intervention, that on the first day ASU Representatives met with Qantas over the Airports of the Future Plans, the Qantas automatic check-in system decided to breakdown worldwide!
17 November 2009 [full story]
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It’s announcement by press release again at Qantas
If anyone thought things had changed at Qantas since Geoff Dixon’s departure, then they would be wrong. Yesterday in true Dixonesque style, CEO Alan Joyce decided to announce a major change that is proposed at Qantas airports not to the customers, not to the staff, but to the Aviation Press Club.
12 November 2009 [full story]
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Do the Qantas Board Members deserve re-election?
Do the Qantas Board Members deserve re-election? That is one of the questions that will be considered by shareholders at the upcoming Qantas Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 21st October 2009 at 11:00am at the River View Room, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
06 October 2009 [full story]
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Qantas EBA 8 wages and allowances set to increase
ASU Qantas EBA 8 provides for a pay rise from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2009 and also provides for a range of allowances to be adjusted for CPI (i.e. cost of living) or in line with the wage rise.
15 July 2009 [full story]
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Qantas Unions Bulletin: Urine drug testing “unjust and unreasonable” says umpire
All Qantas employees will be aware of the company’s proposal to introduce urine testing for drugs and alcohol – and your unions’ campaign against it. A recent case by a Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) determined that saliva testing is a better and fairer way than urine testing. Since Day 1 of our campaign almost 5 years ago, we urged Qantas to use saliva testing not urine testing. We raised many of your concerns - but the Qantas “experts” were not persuaded by our representations.
19 June 2009 [full story]
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Swine Flu Update
ASU officials met with Qantas HR and industrial relations management in Sydney on 30 April 2009 to discuss the Company’s response to the swine flu outbreak and the precautions being put in place for staff with direct passenger contact.
01 May 2009 [full story]
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GFC hits Qantas: 1750+ redundancies on way
On Tuesday 14th April 2009 Qantas announced to the stock exchange and then to Australia their intention to, among other things, cut flying capacity by 5% resulting in the loss of 500 management positions and a further 1250 equivalent full time positions (FTEs) from areas of the Group. As we all know FTEs can mean more people.
15 April 2009 [full story]
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Exceptional training – Exceptionally unfair
It’s great that Qantas has initiated new training for staff. Everyone welcomes the opportunity to enhance their skills and product knowledge through attending Qantas’ Exceptional Training in Sydney.
23 March 2009 [full story]
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Qantas Workers: Charter of Workplace Drug and Alcohol Management Info Sessions
Your unions are concerned that Qantas Management have stated to implement an unfair Drug and Alcohol (DOA) testing regime.
09 March 2009 [full story]
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Qantas closes Hobart Travel Centre
Late yesterday Qantas has announced that it is closing the Qantas Travel Centre in Hobart on 29th May 2009. This means that the 6 staff remaining in the centre and an additional sales staff member will be made compulsorily redundant unless suitable redeployment options can be found for them. We believe the company MUST do everything possible to ensure suitable redeployment is available.
04 March 2009 [full story]
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Qantas announces closure of QBT Adelaide and calls for expressions of interest
Qantas has announced their intention to close the Qantas Business Travel (QBT) offices in Adelaide which will see 21 staff made redundant from 31st March 2009.
03 March 2009 [full story]
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Qantas Drug and Alcohol Testing Update and Mass Meetings
In December last year Qantas Management stated to implement a new Drug and Alcohol (DOA) testing regime with very little union consultation.
27 February 2009 [full story]
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Qantas finally acts on air rage at airports
After years of campaigning for signage at Qantas airports, Qantas management has finally agreed to erecting signs at check in desks across the country warning passengers that threatening or abusive behaviour towards staff or passengers will not be tolerated.
23 December 2008 [full story]
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ASU Reps ask hard questions at Qantas AGM
ASU members across Qantas nominated the ASU to represent their views at the Qantas AGM on 28 November 2008. The Agenda for the AGM focused on the departure of Geoff Dixon and changes to Board membership.
17 December 2008 [full story]
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ACTU sets out clear expectations for any Qantas merger
Yesterday the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ (ACTU) executive passed a resolution of support and action in relation to the recent news that the Qantas Group is pursuing merger talks with British Airways.
11 December 2008 [full story]
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Qantas seeks to impose more Drug and Alcohol Testing
Qantas Group Management has written to each of your unions to inform us that they want to implement a new Drug and Alcohol testing regime.
04 December 2008 [full story]
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At Qantas the more things change, the more they stay the same – cast your AGM vote now
The meeting notices and proxy forms for Geoff Dixon’s swansong Qantas AGM and the first for new Chairman Leigh Clifford are hitting staff home letterboxes right now. The Qantas Annual General Meeting is on Friday 28th November 2008 at 11am EST in the Plaza Terrace Room of the Bisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank, Brisbane.
10 November 2008 [full story]
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ASU endorsed candidates for Qantas Staff Credit Union election
The elections for four Directors of the Qantas Credit Union is underway and CSM Guy Maclean and Capt Colin Adams, both long time current Qantas staff, have decided to stand in an endeavour to bring more equitable balance and representation to the Credit Union current Board.
29 October 2008 [full story]
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Signed, sealed and delivered at Qantaslink
Successful voting has concluded on the variation and extension to the Eastern and Suntate (QantasLink) Agreements.
22 October 2008 [full story]
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Eastern QantasLink – your agreement is ready for voting
After many months of arduous negotiations, changes to Federal legislation on how we bargain and getting your Agreement right, the ASU can now recommend the Agreement to you.
29 September 2008 [full story]
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It’s time to vote YES at Sunstate
After many months of negotiations, your agreement is ready to be voted on.
23 September 2008 [full story]
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QantasLink - Eastern and Sunstate EB marathon draws to a close!
We reported at the beginning of this month that your negotiating teams for Eastern and Sunstate have been attempting to settle new collective agreements since May 2007.
28 August 2008 [full story]
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QantasLink Eastern and Sunstate EB Campaign 2007/2008
Since May 2007 you have been waiting for real responses to your bargaining claims. During this time the federal legislation changed, allowing the negotiations to refocus on keeping the agreements you have currently in place, including all union related matters and negotiating new items.
11 August 2008 [full story]
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Redundancies in holding pattern at Qantas
ASU reps met with Qantas Group General Managers for People from most Qantas business segments on Friday 1st August 2008 to try and get a handle on the ASU areas that are being targeted for redundancies as a result of the recent announcement.
05 August 2008 [full story]
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Update on Qantas redundancies
On Friday 18th July 2008 Qantas announced their intention to cut 1,500 jobs across the Group by December 2008. Despite this announcement we have been unable to get exact details of which areas will be hit by job cuts, instead we have been told by Qantas management that the ASU will be involved in a series of meetings with the Group General Managers of Human Resources for each of the business segments to get an indication of where they believe the job cuts will come from.
28 July 2008 [full story]
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Union anger over Qantas 1,500 job cuts announcement
The Australian Services Union has reacted strongly to Qantas’ announcement that it plans to cut 1,500 jobs by December.
18 July 2008 [full story]
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Qantas EBA 8 wages and allowances set to increase
ASU Qantas EBA 8 provides for a pay rise from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2008 and also provides for a range of allowances to be adjusted for CPI (i.e. cost of living) or in line with the wage rise.
27 June 2008 [full story]
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Update on Qantas Holidays takeover
ASU Reps met with QHols management in Sydney on Wednesday 11th June 2008 to discuss outstanding matters related to the proposed takeover of Qantas Holidays Ltd by Jetset Travelworld.
17 June 2008 [full story]
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Casuals are no solution to the chaos at Qantas Telephone Sales
This week the Manager of Telephone Sales in Hobart boldly issued a memo to staff suggesting that she will be recruiting ex staff to work as casuals during July 2008. What she failed to realize is that Qantas has an EBA and agreement about how casuals can be engaged and this clearly states that an agreement with the ASU must be reached before casuals are engaged. NO discussion on this issue let alone an agreement has been reached.
12 June 2008 [full story]
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Salary sacrifice for motor vehicles at Qantas now available
Following on from the meeting with Qantas on 8th April 2008 we have received a letter dated 19th May 2008 from Qantas Industrial Relations confirming that salary sacrifice of motor vehicles will be available from 1st September 2008 to ASU Qantas EBA 8 staff subject to Qantas policy and the financial ability to meet repayments.
23 May 2008 [full story]
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Qantas executives are putting profits ahead of the living standards of workers say unions
Unions believe it is unethical and unfair for Qantas executives to be denying aircraft maintenance engineers a pay rise that meets their cost of living expenses while at the same time the company is forecast to make a record $1.5 billion profit.
15 May 2008 [full story]
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Update on post EBA 8 meetings
Qantas EBA 8 provided for a number of additional issues to be considered after the approval of the EBA. ASU reps held meetings on a range of these issues including staff travel, superannuation and salary sacrifice options in Sydney on 8th April 2008. The following is a summary of what was discussed.
29 April 2008 [full story]
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Update from Qantas Holidays meeting
ASU representatives met with Qantas Holidays management on 23rd April 2008 to discuss issues arising from the proposed sale of Qantas Holidays to Jetset Travelworld and then the subsequent purchase of 58% of Jetset Travelworld by Qantas Airways Ltd.
28 April 2008 [full story]
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ASU welcomes Workplace Advocate’s report highlighting unfair Qantas valet AWAs
The ASU today welcomed the Workplace Rights Advocate’s report into the AWAs offered to customer service staff during the Qantas Valet Parking dispute.
21 April 2008 [full story]
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How much longer are you prepared to wait?
We informed you in November ‘07 that we had been waiting for some time for a response from QantasLink about EBA negotiations… We told you in February ‘08 that we thought there was progress and now in March ‘08 guess what…? We are still waiting.
04 April 2008 [full story]
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Ombudsman’s report confirms no transmission of business
Commenting on the release of the Workplace Ombudsman’s report into the Qantas Valet Parking dispute, ASU Victorian Branch Secretary Ingrid Stitt said it was because there was no transmission of business that the workers were left exposed under WorkChoices laws.
27 March 2008 [full story]
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Senate IR inquiry recognises Qantas Valet Parking dispute as unethical and major example of AWA abuse
The recent Qantas Valet Parking dispute led by the Australian Services Union was highlighted in this week's Senate report into the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008.
20 March 2008 [full story]
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Retrospective laws needed to protect Qantas Valet Parking staff: ASU tells Senate Inquiry
The Australian Services Union today highlighted the recent Qantas Valet Parking AWA dispute during its submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008.
07 March 2008 [full story]
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Business as usual – but only for some
This was the clear message to staff when ASU Qantas Holidays representatives from Brisbane and Sydney met with Qantas Holidays / Jetset Travelworld CEO designate Peter Collins and other management in Sydney on 3rd March 2008.
06 March 2008 [full story]
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Staff work last shifts as new AWA contractor takes over Qantas Valet Parking
About two thirds of staff at Qantas Valet Parking at Tullamarine Airport are expected to work their last shifts today as a new AWA contractor takes over.
29 February 2008 [full story]
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Qantas should stand up for the wages and conditions of valet parking workers say unions
Qantas should immediately step in and save 170 valet parking workers from major cuts to their wages and conditions say unions. The workers have been given a deadline of the end of this week to either accept a pay cut or lose their jobs.
26 February 2008 [full story]
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Qantas Valet Parking contractor re-issues AWA offer not once, not twice, but three times in nine days
An AWA offer has been re-issued not once, not twice, but three times in just nine days by the new contractor due to take over Qantas’ Valet Parking service this Saturday.
25 February 2008 [full story]
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QantasLink (Eastern) EBA 2007/8 campaign
It has been a long wait since your ASU delegates met with management in November 2007! The wait has been worth it… Almost. The meeting at Sydney APC on Monday 18th February 2008 has made significant progress.
22 February 2008 [full story]
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Support Qantas Valet Parking workers
About 170 workers across major airports in Australia currently need your support. In the dying days of AWAs in Australia, the new firm contracted to provide Qantas' Valet Parking wants to put all staff on a five year AWA.
21 February 2008 [full story]
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ASU refers Qantas Valet Parking AWA offer to Workplace Rights Advocate
The Australian Services Union has today asked the Victorian Workplace Rights Advocate to investigate an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) being offered to Qantas Valet Parking staff at Tullamarine Airport.
18 February 2008 [full story]
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Qantas Valet Parking staff face cuts in wages and conditions as unfair AWAs still allowed to threaten workers rights
In the same week a transition bill enters Federal Parliament to reform the nation’s industrial landscape, Qantas Valet Parking staff at Tullamarine Airport are facing the loss of significant entitlements and a collective agreement due to a change in contract.
15 February 2008 [full story]
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ASU members give Qantas EBA 8 thumbs up
Qantas staff have voted overwhelmingly to endorse the ASU EBA 8 deal negotiated and recommended by the ASU's Qantas National Negotiating Team before Christmas.
21 January 2008 [full story]
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Four days to go in Qantas EBA 8 ballot
There are four days left to vote in the ASU EBA 8 ballot. Voting is online either via the website: http://www.myvote.com.au/asueba8 You can also access the online ballot via the Qantas intranet in your workplace. Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 20th January 2008.
17 January 2008 [full story]
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ASU Recommends "Yes" Vote for EBA 8
Voting in Australian Services Union (Qantas Airways Limited) Agreement 8 (EBA 8) commences online from 9am on Monday 7 January 2008 and closes at midnight on Sunday 20 January 2008.
07 January 2008 [full story]
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ASU members endorse Qantas EBA 8
ASU members at Qantas have voted overwhelmingly to endorse the EBA 8 deal negotiated by the ASU’s Qantas National Negotiating Team, following workplace meetings explaining the offer that have been held around Australia this month.
21 December 2007 [full story]
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It is over to members to decide
Around 70 ASU Qantas delegates from around Australia met in Sydney on Thursday 6th December 2007 to discuss the Qantas EBA 8 offer that has been recommended by the ASU’s Qantas National Negotiating Team.
07 December 2007 [full story]
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QantasLink (Eastern) will make an offer but only after you give up a piece of your pay!
Since 21 June 2007 negotiations have continued on your agreement and all we have heard from management is that they can offer you nothing until you give something up!
30 November 2007 [full story]
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QantasLink (Sunstate) make an offer
The scheduled negotiations for QantasLink (Sunstate) again took place in Sydney on Tuesday 27 November 2007.
30 November 2007 [full story]
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A Qantas EBA offer to recommend
The ASU Qantas National Negotiating Team (NNT) is set to recommend an offer for settlement of our Qantas EBA 8 Claims to a meeting of ASU delegates on Thursday 6 December 2007.
23 November 2007 [full story]
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Airport staff shortages at chronic levels
Last week Qantas customer service staff at Brisbane Domestic Airport were booed by customers as they left their counters to assist an elderly woman who collapsed in the Qantas Club queue.
19 November 2007 [full story]
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Qantas drops EBA claims and starts negotiating
The EBA 8 meetings with Qantas on 18 October 2007 and 15 November 2007 have seen Qantas management abandon almost all of their original claims to cut or change key conditions which would have undermined the job security of staff.
16 November 2007 [full story]
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Qantas Board to be questioned over job security
Qantas employee shareholders from across Australia will today ask the Qantas Board to guarantee their job security and working conditions when the company is soon split into four.
14 November 2007 [full story]
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Move it, move it – says QantasLink Eastern
That was the continuing scene at our latest meeting with QantasLink (Eastern) on 25 October 2007. What the company really meant was they wanted us to ‘move’ on one of their claims which is company code for giving up conditions. This was clear from the start when negotiations opened with QantasLink (Eastern) asking your negotiating team – what are we going to move on?
02 November 2007 [full story]
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The Perils of Payroll
For as long as anyone can remember there have been problems with the Qantas payroll system, but over recent years since the centralisation of payroll, the elimination of local payroll and the introduction of People Connect it has been on a steady decline.
30 October 2007 [full story]
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When will the sun shine at Sunstate?
Negotiations continued this week with ASU Delegate Martin Hadfield attending the offices of QantasLink (Eastern) in Sydney to hear from QantasLink management about how they have no intention to move on any of your substantial claims.
26 October 2007 [full story]
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Send a message to QF Board – cast your AGM vote now
The meeting notices and proxy forms for the Qantas AGM are hitting staff home letterboxes right now as this year’s Qantas Annual General Meeting is to be held on Wednesday, 14th November 2007 at 2:00pm at The Park Room, Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne and Olympic Parks, Swan Street Melbourne. There are important things to vote on – directors’ re-election, shares for Peter Gregg and Geoff Dixon and executive remuneration.
23 October 2007 [full story]
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Qantas staff raise the stakes and launch TV campaign
Following the successful launch of the Australian Services Union YouTube advertisement, the Union has now taken the campaign against Qantas cost cutting and downgrading of services to television.
22 October 2007 [full story]
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Slow going at Eastern negotiations
Your ASU negotiating team has now met with QantasLink (Eastern) management on 6 occasions. During those 6 meetings – the last being Monday 15 October, QantasLink management have not moved on any of the key claims for ASU members.
17 October 2007 [full story]
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Airport staff take on Qantas in new YouTube campaign on service standards
In a first for enterprise bargaining campaigns, the Australian Services Union has today launched a 30 second online advertisement accusing Qantas of cost cutting and downgrading service standards in airports across the country.
03 October 2007 [full story]
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Life is great in the Sunshine State so show us the money!
QantasLink (Sunstate) negotiations continued in Sydney with management providing a detailed table of their claims. These claims are those that we advised you of following our last meeting with management. On this occasion we are able to see very clearly the number of current entitlements which management wish to remove from your conditions.
28 September 2007 [full story]
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Progress? Only if you think taking away your entitlements is progress!
When last we reported to you QantasLink (Eastern) had said no to your key claims. At our latest meeting, QantasLink (Eastern) put a document to your negotiating team which clearly outlined the claims of the company.
28 September 2007 [full story]
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We were wrong – Urgent Correction
In our Bulletin 206 on September 6, 2007 we indicated that the Senior Executives who didn’t do their day jobs (according to John Borghetti) while the APA takeover bid was on owed the Qantas shareholders $6,077,132.
21 September 2007 [full story]
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What's next Geoff, working for tips?
Not content with cutting 450 customer service staff from Australian airports since 2001 and introducing hundreds of automatic check-in machines, Qantas now wants to cut the wages of new customer service agents at airports.
17 September 2007 [full story]
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At Qantas no-one can hear you scream
That’s how your National Negotiating Team felt at our last EBA negotiating meeting which was held on 4th September 2007.
12 September 2007 [full story]
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What we have agreed to
We reported after the last negotiation meeting that QantasLink (Eastern) management had responded to your claims and the overwhelming reply was "no". Tuesday 4 September saw your negotiating team back at the table to hear that QantasLink had little else to offer.
07 September 2007 [full story]
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"You couldn’t get your job done, you had to sort of abandon it. You couldn’t focus on it."
That’s what John Borghetti, Qantas Executive General Manager told the American Chamber of Commerce lunch in Sydney recently was what happened when he and senior executives Geoff Dixon and Peter Gregg worked on the unsuccessful Private Equity takeover over six months from last November.
06 September 2007 [full story]
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And the winner is...
The winner of the ASU, AMWU, TWU "Guess the Qantas Group Profit" is Andrew Whitty, ASU member at Qantas Telesales in Melbourne. Andrew was spot on with his prediction that the Qantas Group operating profit before tax would be $1032million. Congratulations Andrew!
17 August 2007 [full story]
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Someone was listening
Eastern Australia Airlines have finally responded to the claims you first tabled with the company on 16 May 2007, mostly they said no!
16 August 2007 [full story]
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Qantas profit up, staff wages down
Qantas has today announced a before-tax profit of $1,032 million for the 2006/07 financial year and while the news is all good for Qantas shareholders, with dividends expected to deliver millions, staff face the prospect of their work being downgraded with the introduction of lower paid positions to perform existing customer service work.
16 August 2007 [full story]
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ASU - AMWU - TWU Launch Guess Qantas Group Profit Competition
The ASU, AMWU and TWU have today launched a “Guess the Qantas Group 2006-07 Profit” competition for financial members of each union working in the Qantas Group.
03 August 2007 [full story]
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Qantaslink management stake their claim
Qantaslink Sydney management have staked their claim for a pound of flesh during your collective agreement negotiations in Brisbane on Tuesday 31 July 2007.
03 August 2007 [full story]
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They’re joking right? … Wrong!
Thursday 26 July saw Eastern Australia Airlines Management present to your ASU Delegates their vision for ‘flexibility’ in your new agreement.
27 July 2007 [full story]
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Qantas - You cannot be serious!
For an airline that is spending millions of dollars on upgrading airport lounges and improving the on-board experience it beggars belief that Qantas is still seeking to downgrade the positions of frontline customer service staff at Australian domestic airports.
23 July 2007 [full story]
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Qantas stalls response on our claims
After the cancellation by Qantas of our scheduled meeting on 4th July, unfortunately our fourth meeting with Qantas management on 19th July 2007 still did not net any comprehensive or complete response to the ASU’s claims.
23 July 2007 [full story]
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Qantas move to downgrade customer service work - is this the thin edge of the wedge?
Not satisfied with running their airport customer service operations on woefully inadequate staffing numbers, Qantas have now flagged that they are seeking to downgrade the value of customer service work by introducing Level 2 positions at Melbourne Airport.
19 July 2007 [full story]
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Former Commonwealth Government workers may have rights to super
As a result of recent developments in the High Court, some ASU airlines members may be able to seek to recover additional superannuation payments they previously were not entitled to.
05 July 2007 [full story]
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Eastern bargaining off and running!
All of the Claims in the table below, endorsed by Eastern Australia Airlines ASU members, have now been presented to QantasLink management at the first bargaining meeting 21 June 2007.
26 June 2007 [full story]
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ASU Log of Claims presented to Sunstate Management
Your ASU Delegate Martin Hadfield and ASU National Industrial Officer Jo Justo met with David Hughes, Annie Schmidt and Peter O’Toole (Brisbane airport) on Thursday 21 June 2007.
26 June 2007 [full story]
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Qantas proposes cuts to EBA conditions
The EBA 8 meeting on 13th June 2007 saw Qantas management table details of the Company’s Claims for cuts to some conditions in our next EBA.
18 June 2007 [full story]
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A sweet spot for some – cuts for others
In the same week that CEO Geoff Dixon told anyone who would listen that the Qantas Group is in a “sweet spot”, Qantas management has tabled a set of cuts in conditions that they want in EBA8. Although there is not a great amount of detail, below is the table about the Claims that came from the management representatives.
28 May 2007 [full story]
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Bargaining to start soon at Sunstate
Our Log of Claims for the next Sunstate EBA has been given to Sunstate management and Industrial Relations today. As everyone knows our Claims were compiled after surveying staff and then holding meetings to confirm we were all happy with what was claimed.
16 May 2007 [full story]
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Let the bargaining begin at Eastern Australia Airlines
After consultation across Eastern Australia Airlines locations, we have now endorsed our Log of Claims for our next EBA.
16 May 2007 [full story]
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Private equity for Qantas fails
The Qantas Unions and our members have welcomed the decision by the majority of Qantas shareholders to reject the Airline Partners bid for Qantas.
07 May 2007 [full story]
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May Day start for EBA negotiations
The ASU negotiations for the Qantas EBA 8 fittingly commenced on 1 May 2007 or May Day, which is internationally recognised as the day to commemorate and celebrate workers’ struggles to achieve fairness and equality.
02 May 2007 [full story]
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Private equity raiders real plans unearthed
The hidden plans of the consortium attempting to buy Qantas have now been unearthed as details of a 4.5 billion raid on Qantas have been discovered.
17 April 2007 [full story]
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An Easter present for Qantas
ASU members across Australia have now resoundingly endorsed our Claim for the Qantas – QFIT EBA 8. This follows the recommendation from the Qantas Delegates meeting held on February 7 and 8, 2007.
04 April 2007 [full story]
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Seven things you need to know about the new IR laws at Qantas Staff Credit Union
Qantas Staff Credit Union (QSCU) has decided that the best form of employment contract for all employees is a ‘WorkChoices’ individual contract.
31 March 2007 [full story]
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Government support – but private equity bid hits turbulence
Despite strong public opposition the Howard Government has cleared the way for the private equity takeover of Qantas. The Howard Government has shown it has little interest in protecting the long-term interests of Qantas or the interests of over 35,000 Qantas employees by approving the private equity bid for Qantas.
23 March 2007 [full story]
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Update on Qantas Takeover Campaign
Yesterday saw a number of developments in the Qantas Unions Takeover campaign with both the report of the Senate Inquiry and the findings of the Takeovers Panel. Following is a brief overview of each.
21 March 2007 [full story]
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ASU tells inquiry – ‘Keep Jetstar Australian’
The ASU has followed our written submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics, Inquiry into the Qantas Sale (Keep Jetstar Australian) Amendment Bill with presentations to the Committee at parliament House on Tuesday 13 March 2007.
16 March 2007 [full story]
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ASU to appear at Senate Inquiry into Qantas Sale Bill
ASU representatives will appear before the Senate Economics Committee’s Inquiry into the Qantas Sale (Keep Jetstar Australian) Amendment Bill in Canberra today. This Inquiry is into a Bill proposed by Victorian Senator Fielding late in February 2007 to deal with possible loopholes in the Qantas Sale Act 1992.
13 March 2007 [full story]
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Qantas mums paying to work
The Australian Services Union has today lodged a series of complaints on behalf of members with the Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) alleging that Qantas has breached the Sex Discrimination Act.
12 March 2007 [full story]
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MPs raise concerns over Qantas buyout
The proposed private equity bid for Qantas is facing growing public opposition. The Qantas unions and the ACTU are working together to oppose the private equity buyout of Qantas.
20 February 2007 [full story]
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ASU Qantas delegates’ meeting 2007
ASU delegates from Qantas, QFIT, Jetstar, Sunstate and Eastern met together in Sydney on 7th & 8th February 2007 to consider the upcoming bargaining rounds in each airline, and to hear from key note speakers ACTU Secretary Greg Combet and Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon who both spoke on 8th February, the day of the company’s half-yearly profit announcement.
Over 70 delegates from most areas of the Qantas Group and all states and territories attended the meeting in their own time.
A separate report on the bargaining considerations and strategies will be given to members in each airline in further bulletins and at workplace meetings shortly.
09 February 2007 [full story]
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Qantas customer and service staff join sell-off protest
Qantas staff responsible for booking tickets and providing customer service will join protests in Canberra today raising concerns that the private equity sale will see more jobs sent offshore.
07 February 2007 [full story]
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Federal Government must stand up for Australian jobs – ACT NOW
Our national airline Qantas is about to be sold off, and Treasurer Peter Costello refuses to guarantee that the jobs of Australian workers won't be sent offshore. You can act now to tell Costello to stand up for Australian jobs.
07 February 2007 [full story]
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New poll shows voters want Federal Govt to stand up for Australian jobs and oppose Qantas sale
80% of marginal seat voters say the Federal Government isn’t doing enough to stop Australian businesses being sold overseas and jobs lost offshore.
05 February 2007 [full story]
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A big year of bargaining ahead in the Qantas Group
2007 is shaping up as a big year for enterprise bargaining in the Qantas Group with the EBAs in Qantas Airways, Sunstate Airlines, Eastern Australia Airlines and Jetstar Airways all expiring on 30 June 2007.
24 January 2007 [full story]
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Thousands of Australians send message to the Government on Qantas sale
Since the launch of the Qantas Unions petition thousands of Australians have signed the petition calling on the Federal Government to intervene in the sale of Qantas to private equity interests. There is still plenty of time to get more signatures so download the petition from the Qantas unions website and get your family, friends and workmates to join the campaign.
19 January 2007 [full story]
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Stand up for Qantas and Stand up for Australia
The Qantas Unions have launched a campaign asking the Federal Government to intervene to support Qantas and to stand up for Qantas and stand up for Australia.
20 December 2006 [full story]
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Have your say on the Qantas EBA claims
Now more than ever before it is important for Qantas employees to have their say on what should be included in the bargaining agenda for the Qantas EBA 8.
19 December 2006 [full story]
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It’s time to make a difference
Preparations for the negotiation of next year’s ASU Sunstate EBA 3 have begun with the release of our EBA survey to determine what staff want to claim in next year’s bargaining round.
18 December 2006 [full story]
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Qantas unions fear private equity takeover will put thousands of jobs and pay at risk
Unions fear the takeover of Qantas by a private equity consortium will cost thousands of jobs and put downward pressure on workers' wages and conditions while bonuses for senior executives will go through the roof.
14 December 2006 [full story]
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Private equity vultures circle Qantas
Qantas Directors have accepted a bid for the purchase of Qantas by a private equity consortium. The consortium is headed by overseas based companies including Texas Pacific Group and Onex and the Macquarie Bank and has made a $10.9 billion bid for Qantas.
14 December 2006 [full story]
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Court orders urgent hearing for Qantas Holidays breach proceedings
Yesterday the Victorian Magistrates Court ordered an urgent hearing for the ASU’s proceedings against Qantas Holidays Limited in which we allege the Company breached the Airlines Officers (Qantas Airways Limited) Award by changing part time employers’ rosters in the call centre without their consent.
21 November 2006 [full story]
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Preparations begin for ASU’s Qantas EBA 8
It is hard to believe that it will soon be Qantas EBA time again, and that 2007 is shaping up to be a very big year for ASU negotiations at Qantas.
16 November 2006 [full story]
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Breach of Award proceedings issued against Qantas Holidays
The ASU yesterday issued proceedings in the Victorian Magistrates Court against Qantas Holidays Limited, alleging the Company has breached the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award by changing part time employees’ rosters in the call centre without their consent. We have also alleged that the new roster has a discriminatory effect on some employees because of their family responsibilities or physical or mental disabilities.
15 November 2006 [full story]
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It pays to read the fine print at Qantas
Despite an increase in the allowances in the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award 2000 which took effect from the first pay period on or after 1 February 2006, it now appears that Qantas has not been paying these allowances as they are legally required to.
03 November 2006 [full story]
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Right to know laws would cover air travel too
The ALP’s commitment to changes to the Privacy Act requiring companies to disclose when customers data is sent offshore, should also apply to Qantas, the Australian Services Union said today.
06 October 2006 [full story]
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Sticking together pays off at Qantas Holidays
Last Friday the ASU and Qantas Holidays appeared at the Industrial Relations Commission about the implementation of the proposed part time roster in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. ASU Qantas Holidays (Melbourne) reps Leah Buchbinder and Maria Scafi attended with ASU officials Chris Haan and Jo Katsoulas.
02 October 2006 [full story]
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Flying kangaroo eyes passage to India
The Australian Services Union today called on Qantas to abandon plans to send 400 IT jobs to India. ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White said it understood the plans were well advanced, with two Indian companies short-listed to take over the jobs of local programmers, website developers and application support staff.
01 October 2006 [full story]
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It's Qantas AGM time again – Time to vote
In the last 2 weeks Qantas staff who are shareholders should have received a notice advising that this year’s Qantas Annual General Meeting is to be held on Thursday 19th October 2006 at 2:00pm at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place Sydney.
29 September 2006 [full story]
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Qantas decision on IT offshoring imminent
Sources in Qantas suggest that the Qantas Board is to consider whether to offshore vital IT functions to India at its Board meeting in Sydney on 18 October 2006.
26 September 2006 [full story]
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Seven things you need to know about the new IR laws at Qantas
Seven things you need to know include: How are my wages and conditions set under the new laws; Have any of my conditions been removed under the new IR laws; What happens if Qantas offer individual contracts; What’s wrong with individual contracts; What happens next year when the EBA is up for renegotiation; Can Qantas refuse to negotiate a new EBA; and Can the ASU represent me under the new IR laws.
21 September 2006 [full story]
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No compromise by Qantas Holidays on part time roster
On Monday 11th September, the ASU reps from all Holidays sites met with Company representatives to discuss the proposed roster formulated by ASU representatives after consultation with staff.
13 September 2006 [full story]
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Qantas Holidays part time roster change
On Wednesday 23rd August ASU reps from all Holiday locations met with Qantas to discuss the proposed part time roster and the negative impacts it would have on your lives and financial situations. At this meeting the ASU reps managed to secure an interim solution: the chance to create a roster that allows staff to balance their work and life.
04 September 2006 [full story]
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Qantas Group unions call information meetings for staff
In response to Qantas' announcement that they will introduce Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) in Jetstar International and the threats by Qantas to further reduce existing pay and conditions, the Joint Qantas Unions have called an information meeting of all Qantas Group employees.
24 August 2006 [full story]
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Qantas Credit Union victory: Special Resolution defeated – ASU makes the difference
We are pleased to report that the Qantas Staff Credit Union (QSCU) Special Resolution to repeal the existing constitution and replace it with a new one was defeated in a close vote at the Special General Meeting held in Sydney yesterday (15th August 2006).
16 August 2006 [full story]
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How to vote against the Qantas Credit Union Special Resolution
Qantas Staff Credit Union (QSCU) members should have received a notice of a meeting on 15 August 2006 in Sydney seeking your vote to amend the Qantas Staff Credit Union's constitution. It's an 'all or nothing' vote, to repeal the existing constitution and replace it with a new version.
03 August 2006 [full story]
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Qantas Holidays part time roster changes = less $$$
Two weeks ago, Qantas Holidays announced that it was planning to change the rosters for their part time staff. This will mean a massive loss of income and a disruption to family responsibilities and outside commitments. The change affects each and every part time staff member – 93 staff nationally – nearly 50% of whom are staff at Qantas Holidays in Melbourne.
01 August 2006 [full story]
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OHS at Qantas: No to Random Testing at Qantas
The ACTU and Qantas unions have demanded and obtained a short-term agreement from Qantas that it will further delay its plan to introduce random alcohol and other drugs urine testing.
13 June 2006 [full story]
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Qantas Board grows while staff get cut
It seems that the Qantas Board has made itself immune from the 1000 job cuts announced two weeks ago, as Chairman Margaret Jackson has announced the appointment of former Qantas CEO James Strong as a replacement for retiring board member Jim Kennedy, who left in May 2006.
05 June 2006 [full story]
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ASU meets with Qantas on job cuts
The first meeting of ASU representatives and Qantas management took place on 24th May 2006 about the 1,000 job cuts announced by CEO Geoff Dixon on 17 May 2006.
25 May 2006 [full story]
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Urgent meetings on staff sackings called at Qantas
Meetings of ASU members across Australia have been called to discuss and respond to the announcement by Qantas Management of plans to shed 1000 jobs in ASU areas before the end of the year.
18 May 2006 [full story]
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Qantas backs down on testing – for now
Two weeks ago, Qantas sent out an intranet advice to staff saying that Qantas intended to commence random testing for alcohol and other drug use, to comply with new Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations. The Company also wrote to the ASU and other unions at Qantas.
17 May 2006 [full story]
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Stop Press – Qantas announce random drug & alcohol testing
The Federal Government has recently announced the introduction of new Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations governing drug and alcohol testing for aviation workers.
03 May 2006 [full story]
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QFCL decision not far away
ASU reps met with Qantas management on 9 March 2006 to discuss the progress of the review of Qantas Flight Catering Limited, which is currently being undertaken by the Company.
16 March 2006 [full story]
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ASU reps to meet Qantas on Catering and Maintenance
ASU reps have two key meetings with Qantas management tomorrow (Thursday 9 March 2006) to discuss the company's plans for Catering and Maintenance.
08 March 2006 [full story]
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Dixon presents unions with ½ yearly profit report
ASU Delegates from QBT Melbourne, Telephone Sales Hobart, SIT, Brisbane Telephone Sales and Engineering and Maintenance Melbourne, along with ASU National Industrial Officer Jo Justo attended the presentation by Geoff Dixon about last week’s Qantas half yearly profit announcement.
23 February 2006 [full story]
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Aviation employers begin attack on workers’ rights
Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon has announced it’s considering plans to:
- Outsource Qantas jobs overseas;
- Cut further jobs; and
- Use the proposed industrial law changes to reduce your pay and conditions.
02 November 2005 [full story]
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What is going on with Qantas Business Travel?
Rumours about. Are we being sold? Is it a merger? Is nothing happening at all? We have to tell you, we don’t know either. But we ARE trying to find out.
18 October 2005 [full story]
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Redundancy process begins at Qantas Airports
Qantas have advised that all staff at Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Airports will receive a letter today detailing how to apply for redundancy following the decision by Singapore Airlines to no longer use Qantas as their ground handler in Australia.
06 September 2005 [full story]
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First round of redundancies at Qantas
Qantas has today announced plans to increase the number of E Check-In machines at airports from 38 to 118 in a process that is to be completed by early 2006.
22 August 2005 [full story]
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Federal Government’s industrial reforms – It just keeps getting worse
Over the past few weeks, confusion has reigned over whether Federal Awards will be stripped back to reflect the Federal Government’s proposed new Fair Pay and Conditions Standard. On 26 May 2005 the Prime Minister John Howard announced amongst other things a new Fair Pay and Conditions Standard to replace the current No Disadvantage Test that collective agreements (EBA’s) and individual contracts (AWA’s) are tested against.
01 August 2005 [full story]
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Your super is too important not to get advice
Many ASU members at Qantas have received an offer from Qantas to transfer their superannuation in Division 6 of the Qantas Fund from other divisions. This is an important decision to make and requires careful consideration and above all independent advice.
01 August 2005 [full story]
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Qantas reverses decision on Newcastle Airport redundancies
ASU members working for Eastern Australia Airlines at Newcastle airport are no longer facing redundancy after senior Qantas management reviewed and changed a Jetstar decision to contract out airport check-in outside the Qantas Group. Fourteen Newcastle based check-in staff were facing redundancy had the decision of Jetstar to contract out their work continued.
04 July 2005 [full story]
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Part timers: are you being ripped off on your sick leave?
As a part timer at Qantas Telesales, you are entitled to “pro rata” conditions of a full time employee. This means that you get a proportionate rate of sick leave, annual leave, carers leave and so on. So, if you work 24 hours a week you are entitled to approx 72 hours per year of sick leave.
31 May 2005 [full story]
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Are you losing your hearing?
Acoustic Shock occurs when a loud and unexpected sound – a shriek or spike – comes down the line and into the call centre worker’s headset. These sounds are called acoustic shocks, audio shocks, acoustic shrieks, or high-pitched tones. The exact source of an individual acoustic shock is usually unknown, but various sources are possible, such as alarm signals, signalling tones, or feedback oscillation.
31 May 2005 [full story]
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Jetstar competition winner
The winner of the ASU Working to Live competition for ASU members at Jetstar Airways is Martin Zerafa who works at Melbourne Airport.
11 May 2005 [full story]
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It’s official Jetstar EBA certified
On 26 April 2005 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission certified (approved) the Jetstar/ASU Agreement 2005, which was endorsed by staff in March 2005.
28 April 2005 [full story]
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And the winners are…
The winners of the ASU’s Working to Live competition in Qantas, Eastern Australian Airlines and Sunstate are:
14 April 2005 [full story]
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81% Vote for Jetstar EBA
The Jetstar EBA ballot has now been counted and we can report that 81% of staff who cast a vote in the ballot voted YES to the ASU Agreement.
23 March 2005 [full story]
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All systems go at Sunstate
On 10 March 2005 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission approved the Sunstate Airlines – ASU EBA 2004. This follows a vote in favour of the EBA in February 2005.
11 March 2005 [full story]
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Eastern EBA Certified
On 10 March 2005, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission approved the Eastern Australia Airlines Group 1 EBA which was voted on by staff in February 2005.
11 March 2005 [full story]
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Vote Yes to Jetstar EBA
That is the message from your National Negotiating team at Jetstar as ballot papers for the vote are mailed to home addresses. The formal ballot opens on Thursday 3 March 2005 and closes at noon on Wednesday 16 March 2005.
03 March 2005 [full story]
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Eastern Australia EBA approved by staff
The Eastern Australian Airlines EBA was counted today and 86.42% of the staff who voted in the ballot have approved the terms of the Agreement negotiated by the ASU negotiating team.
16 February 2005 [full story]
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88% vote for Sunstate Airlines EBA
The Sunstate Airlines staff have today approved their 2004 EBA with 88.46% of staff who voted in the ballot casting a Yes vote for the ASU Agreement.
16 February 2005 [full story]
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Jetstar EBA for vote
Jetstar staff should receive a copy of the EBA negotiated by your negotiating team in the mail this week ahead of the formal ballot process which will commence on 1 March 2005.
14 February 2005 [full story]
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Qantas EBA back-pay on the way
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission today certified the ASU’s EBA 7 with Qantas which was approved after a vote of staff last week. Qantas has advised that back-pay under the EBA to 1 July 2004 will be paid on the pay day scheduled for 22 February 2005. All salaries increased by 3% from 1 July 2004.
10 February 2005 [full story]
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Staff vote for Qantas EBA 7
The votes in the ASU’s Qantas EBA 7 were counted today and an overwhelming 80.17% of those who cast a valid vote, voted yes to approving the EBA for over 10,000 employees in ASU areas in Qantas, Qantas Holidays, QFIT Levels 1-10 and QFCL.
03 February 2005 [full story]
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ASU wins increase in Qantas allowances
As from 1 February 2005 the ASU has won an increase in a range of allowances in the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award 2000 to take account of rises in the CPI since the last change in the award, which was 12 months ago.
01 February 2005 [full story]
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Information for Qantas Group members on outsourcing/offshoring
This week a report appeared in The Australian newspaper about the intention of the Qantas Group to outsource/offshore 7000 jobs. In response the ASU wrote an urgent letter on 17 January 2005 to Kevin Brown, Executive General Manager – People for the Qantas Group and we have extracted the answers to our questions which were in a letter from Qantas (18 January 2005) in this bulletin so that our members who are due to vote in ballots for Qantas EBA 7, Eastern Australia Airlines Group 1 EBA, Sunstate Airlines EBA and Jetstar EBA can be fully informed about this issue before voting.
20 January 2005 [full story]
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Eastern Australia Airlines EBA out for vote
The Eastern Australian Airlines National Negotiation Team have finalised an EBA for consideration by all employees covered by the Group One agreement. The EBA reflects discussions with the company on their final offer which had previously been discussed with staff. We have been carefully negotiating the new clauses and believe that we have done the best we can.
17 January 2005 [full story]
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Time to consider Sunstate EBA
After many meetings and final drafting negotiations the Sunstate – ASU EBA 2004 is now ready to be considered by staff for approval. Sunstate will be posting the proposed EBA to all staff covered by the agreement between the 14th–17th January 2005.
17 January 2005 [full story]
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Voting on Qantas EBA 7 to begin
Ballot papers for the ASU Qantas EBA 7 are being posted to staff on 17th January 2005. The ballot will officially open on 18th January 2005. All of the 10,500 staff covered by the agreement should receive a ballot paper from the independent external company Elections Australia who are in charge of the ballot.
12 January 2005 [full story]
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Some Christmas cheer at Jetstar
In a true sign of dedication to our ASU members which included braving heavy Christmas flight loads, the Jetstar National Negotiating Team met in Melbourne on 23 December 2004 to try and finalise an EBA deal.
24 December 2004 [full story]
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Understanding what shiftworkers get paid over Christmas/New Year
There is much confusion about what shiftworkers will be paid at Qantas over the Christmas/New Year period. This bulletin is to set the record straight.
16 December 2004 [full story]
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It’s time to decide on EBA 7
The ASU’s EBA 7 document has now been finalised and will shortly be circulated by Qantas ahead of a vote of staff. The new EBA 7 is a consolidation of the previous ASU EBAs 1-6 for Qantas and QFIT staff and is quite a long document. It also contains new EBA 7 provisions.
16 December 2004 [full story]
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It’s time to tell Jetstar what we want
The ASU Negotiating Team last met with Jetstar on 26 October 2004 to discuss our EBA and since that time your ASU delegates and organisers have been trying to hold meetings of members to discuss the current state of negotiations.
06 December 2004 [full story]
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Qantas EBA 7 Update
After extensive consultation with ASU delegates and members the ASU Qantas National Negotiating Team have considered whether to accept or reject the “final” offer made by Qantas. This was a hard decision but on balance the team has determined to accept the offer.
25 November 2004 [full story]
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Understanding the Qantas SPG offer
As part of our Qantas EBA negotiations we have been discussing our particular concerns with the Senior Professional Group wage structure and have put a number of matters on the table in negotiations.
18 November 2004 [full story]
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Is our work going to New Zealand?
There have been rumours circulating for some time that an increasing amount of the Australian Qantas Telesales work is being done by the Auckland Call Centre. This could be contributing to the low call volumes in Australia, as well as the lack of overtime available.
17 November 2004 [full story]
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Eastern Australia Airlines staff work for free
On Friday 12 November 2004 despite significant intimidation, Eastern Australia Airlines staff protested about the current EBA offer across the network by wearing stickers and handing out leaflets to passengers about our EBA negotiations.
15 November 2004 [full story]
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Sunstate staff endorse some action
As Sunstate staff know we have reached a stalemate with the company over the negotiation of our current EBA. The company is refusing to give us a better deal despite the small cost of some of the changes we want to make. The clear message from our many ASU members meetings has been that it is time to show the company we are not happy with their offer and are united in our opposition to the low pay rise, the poor classification structure and the redundancy pay.
08 November 2004 [full story]
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It’s time to show Eastern we are serious
After extensive consultation with ASU members across Eastern Australia Airlines your Negotiating Committee has determined it is time to show the company that we are serious about our claims and that we are disappointed about the poor response we have received from the company.
08 November 2004 [full story]
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No joy on claims at Eastern
The Eastern Airlines negotiators have met twice with the company since our last bulletin, with discussions on 14th and 28th October 2004. Unfortunately although the offer for our EBA has improved marginally, the offer on our main concerns of the pay rise, job security and redundancy pay remain unchanged.
01 November 2004 [full story]
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The business end – It’s time to decide our next step
Qantas did not greatly vary its position on the ASU EBA claims when the National Negotiating Team met the company on 25th October 2004.
01 November 2004 [full story]
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Labourstart’s Qantas Email campaign takes off
A week after Labourstart, the online news service for the international trade union movement, launched an online campaign for Qantas employees over 2100 emails have been sent to the company supporting the ASU’s campaign for a better wage and job security deal in this round of enterprise bargaining.
29 October 2004 [full story]
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The Qantas AGM report to ASU members
Armed with proxies from nearly 1000 Qantas shareholders ASU reps attending the company’s AGM in Brisbane on 21 October 2004 to hear in person how the Directors could justify a 66% increase in the pool of Directors fees while at the same time offering hardworking frontline staff 3% p.a.
25 October 2004 [full story]
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Act now! Labourstart campaign for Qantas workers
Labourstart an online news service for the international trade union movement has posted an online campaign on their website in support of the ASU’s campaign for a better deal for our Qantas members in this round of enterprise bargaining negotiations.
25 October 2004 [full story]
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Disappointing response from Jetstar
Your ASU Jetstar Negotiating Team met with the company on 8 October 2004 for our third meeting to discuss our EBA. This time around it was the company’s turn to respond to our claims and the extensive research we have conducted about what you want us to achieve.
14 October 2004 [full story]
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All we want is a fair share of the spirit
The ASU National Negotiating Team met with Qantas on 6 October 2004 to continue talks on our EBA. There was only good news on one front, on the rest of the issues – pay, better retirement benefits and improved conditions in the EBA the company maintains the view that they cannot afford the changes and they believe their offers on maternity leave and carers leave are as good as it gets.
13 October 2004 [full story]
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I can see how people may find this irksome
These are the words of the Qantas EBA negotiator Ben De Beyer when discussing the company’s below average wage offer for the next 2 years.
12 October 2004 [full story]
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The bottom line is – you are only worth 3%
This message came loud and clear from Qantas management to your ASU National Negotiating Team at our meeting on 15 September 2004.
28 September 2004 [full story]
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No progress on EBAs key issues
The ASU negotiating team at Eastern Australia Airlines met the company representatives on 22nd September 2004 and although there was some progress on a couple of issues overwhelmingly our main concerns of job security and a fair pay increase were not met.
27 September 2004 [full story]
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EBA negotiations start at Jetstar
The ASU Jetstar National Negotiating Team (NNT) met with the company representatives on 16 September 2004 for our second meeting to discuss our new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).
22 September 2004 [full story]
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The QF Board want a 66% pay rise
They are not joking – that is what the Qantas Board of Directors is asking shareholders to vote for at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Qantas Airways Limited which is to be held on Thursday 21 October 2004 at 2.00pm at the Great Hall of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
22 September 2004 [full story]
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3%, because it’s 3%, because we say so…
That’s what Sunstate negotiators said when presented with objective evidence why staff deserve a fair wage raise of more than 3%.
21 September 2004 [full story]
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A message to Qantas shareholders
In the next couple of days Qantas staff who are shareholders will receive a notice from the company indicating that the Annual General Meeting will be held in Brisbane on 21 October 2004.
16 September 2004 [full story]
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Money can’t buy you love or job security at Qantas
Despite announcing a record profit this year Qantas refuses to give ASU members commitments on job security in EBA 7. In our EBA survey ASU members have told us that provisions to prevent contracting out, outsourcing and offshoring were very important and that abolishing competitive tendering had to occur in this EBA.
07 September 2004 [full story]
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Jetstar EBA meetings kick off
On Wednesday 1 September 2004, the ASU Negotiating Team for Jetstar had our first meeting to negotiate a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) to replace our EBA which expired on 30 June 2004.
01 September 2004 [full story]
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No joy at second EBA meeting
The ASU Negotiating Team at Eastern Australia Airlines met again with the company to discuss our claims and unfortunately most of our claims have been met with a resounding NO!
30 August 2004 [full story]
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Despite record profit – Qantas reject EBA claims
Despite adopting as their own most of the ASU’s proposals to assist Qantas Group employees to balance life and work Qantas has rejected most of our other claims which were designed to ensure the economic and job security of members.
30 August 2004 [full story]
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Rejected – the word of the week at Sunstate
The ASU negotiating team met with Sunstate Management on Thursday 19 August 2004. We had presented all of our claims to the Company at our last meeting on Monday 26 July. On Thursday, with the claims they responded to, the answer was a consistent NO!
26 August 2004 [full story]
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Qantas - we want enough super for our future
Superannuation and our wage increase were the key claims discussed at our recent EBA meeting with Qantas management. The ASU National Negotiating Team held another meeting with the company representatives on 17 August 2004 and we also tabled the remaining detailed claims endorsed by ASU members.
19 August 2004 [full story]
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Update on first meeting at Eastern Australia
The Eastern Australia Airlines National Negotiating Team met with company representatives in Sydney on 9 August 2004 to begin our negotiations for the 2004 Group 1 EBA.
10 August 2004 [full story]
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Can you guess the Qantas Group profit?
On 19 August 2004, the Qantas Group will announce its results for the financial year ending 30 June 2004. Many commentators and analysts are predicting a record profit year confirming Qantas as the most profitable airline in the world.
09 August 2004 [full story]
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Treat staff with respect & fairness
This was the theme of our discussions with Qantas management at the third negotiating meeting with the ASU National Negotiating Team in Sydney on 3 August 2004.
04 August 2004 [full story]
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We are on our way at Eastern Australia Airlines
Our EBA claim at Eastern Australia Airlines has now been endorsed by members and has been served on the company representatives ahead of our first scheduled negotiation meeting on Monday 9 August 2004.
02 August 2004 [full story]
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The EBA campaign is underway at Sunstate
Your ASU negotiating team met with management on Monday 26 July 2004 at the Brisbane Domestic Terminal. The ASU team consists of your ASU Delegates John Norris and Monique Walton with ASU Officials Linda White and David Newman.
29 July 2004 [full story]
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Qantas - It’s about restoring the balance…
That’s what the ASU National Negotiating Team told the company at the last Qantas EBA 7 meeting held in Sydney on 21 July 2004 as we provided information about our claims to help Qantas employees achieve a better balance between life and work.
23 July 2004 [full story]
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Sunstate claim endorsed – Let’s negotiate!
Over the last 2 weeks your union, the ASU, has held meetings at all workplaces across the company. The meetings were held to discuss the EBA survey results and endorse your EBA claim. The meetings were very well attended and each meeting unanimously endorsed the claim!
22 July 2004 [full story]
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Jetstar survey results are in – now we can vote
Last month Sydney based Jetstar delegates attended the Qantas Group National Delegates Meeting to discuss this round of enterprise bargaining at the company.
19 July 2004 [full story]
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Qantas targets job security
The ASU Qantas National Negotiating Team met for the first time on 13 July 2004 with the company representatives to start negotiations for EBA 7.
14 July 2004 [full story]
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We want a sweet deal at Qantas
Since our National Delegates meeting in early June 2004, ASU members across Australia have met to endorse the delegates’ recommended claim. The claim has now been overwhelmingly endorsed and so yesterday (1 July 2004) the ASU formally delivered our claim to Qantas.
02 July 2004 [full story]
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Sunstate Airlines - It’s time to vote on our EBA claim
This year we received a record 43 surveys back from staff at Sunstate. This helps your ASU delegates make recommendations about what to claim in this round of bargaining.
02 July 2004 [full story]
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me
That’s what the ASU representatives who attended Geoff Dixon’s meeting with Qantas Union’s on 24 June 2004 told Qantas CEO and the Senior Management was lacking in Qantas.
29 June 2004 [full story]
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Eastern Australia Airlines - It’s time to vote on our claim
Over 70 delegates from Qantas, Jetstar and Eastern Australia Airlines met in Sydney on 9 & 10 June 2004 to consider the ASU’s EBA survey results for each airline.
29 June 2004 [full story]
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Qantas EBA – We’re on our way
Over 70 delegates from Qantas, Jetstar and Eastern Airlines met in Sydney on 9 & 10 June 2004 to consider the results of the ASU’s EBA surveys in each company.
17 June 2004 [full story]
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OHS at Qantas - Qantas set to introduce testing as government review begins
Qantas management appears poised to introduce random drug and alcohol testing in an attempt to pre-empt outcomes from a recently announced Department of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority review into drug and alcohol testing.
01 June 2004 [full story]
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OHS at Qantas - Unions ready as review begins
Qantas unions at a recent meeting reiterated their strong opposition to the introduction of random drug and alcohol testing on privacy and safety grounds.
28 May 2004 [full story]
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Qantas delegates to plan EBA campaign
Almost 80 ASU delegates from Qantas, Eastern Australia Airlines, Sunstate Airlines and Jetstar will meet in Sydney on 9 & 10 June 2004 to consider the results of the employee surveys that have been conducted in each airline ahead of the next round of enterprise bargaining.
26 May 2004 [full story]
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Qantas sales and reservations delegates meet on Jetstar
On Friday 14 May 2004 Qantas delegates from Telephone Sales, Qantas Business Travel and Qantas Holidays met with management to be updated about Jetstar.
19 May 2004 [full story]
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Sunstate - It’s time to make a difference
Our Sunstate Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) expires on 30 June 2004, so in preparation for the negotiations we have produced a survey to find out what claims ASU members want to make this time around in negotiations.
14 May 2004 [full story]
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Eastern Australia EBA – An opportunity to have a say
The current Eastern Australia Airlines Group 1 Enterprise Bargaining Agreement expires on 1 July 2004.
12 May 2004 [full story]
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Jetstar EBA – It affects everyone’s life
Our current Jetstar/Impulse Enterprise Bargaining Agreement expires on 30 June 2004. In preparation for the next negotiations the ASU delegates are conducting a survey of Jetstar staff to find out what people are thinking about a range of issues.
11 May 2004 [full story]
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Qantas - It’s time to make a difference
Over the next few weeks the ASU delegates and members will be asking staff covered by the Qantas and QFIT Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBA) to fill in surveys.
11 May 2004 [full story]
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Qantas airport delegates talk air rage and Jetstar
On 14 April 2004, ASU delegates from Brisbane, Cairns, Coolangatta, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Lauceston airports met by teleconference with Qantas management about the issues raised in our ASU resolution on 18 March 2004.
20 April 2004 [full story]
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Qantas Sales & Res delegates talk Jetstar
On 4 March 2004, ASU delegates from Telephone Sales, Qantas Holidays, Qantas Business Travel and Travel Centres met with Qantas Sales/Holidays management about the concerns that staff have been expressing about Jetstar/Qantas and their parts of the business.
25 March 2004 [full story]
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Qantas Airport Staff Demand Action on Jetstar, Payroll & Air Rage
ASU members at airports around the country held meetings on 18 March 2004 to hear a report from delegates and officials about Jetstar, Air Rage and the Payroll problems that have been plaguing us since last November 2003.
19 March 2004 [full story]
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Qantas Payroll – It ain’t getting any better
Despite persistent problems with the Qantas payroll system it doesn’t seem to be getting any better with many ASU members still reporting problems with underpayments and wrong pay each fortnight.
16 March 2004 [full story]
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Qantas delegates meet again to discuss Jetstar
ASU delegates from Qantas at Hobart, Launceston and Coolangatta met with Jetstar representatives in Sydney on Friday, February 20, 2004 to discuss the announcement that Qantas is to be responsible for the check in in these ports. Delegates from Cairns also participated as Jetstar has now indicated it will be employing their own staff in Cairns, just as they are in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
23 February 2004 [full story]
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Payroll mess worsens at Qantas
Since the introduction of the Payroll Connect System and the redundancy of local payroll staff at Qantas last year, increasing numbers of staff across the country have reported ongoing problems with the accuracy of their pay and their inability to find anyone who can assist them.
18 February 2004 [full story]
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Qantas – ETA Assistance Required
As you would be aware, the ETA reclassification has been refused by Qantas. The next step in ensuring the classification structure is implemented correctly for the ETA staff is to take the issue to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC).
12 February 2004 [full story]
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Jetstar discussions commence with Qantas delegates
Last week ASU delegates from airports and telephone sales met with Qantas management to discuss how Jetstar will impact on ASU members at Qantas.
These issues were discussed at two separate meetings, one for airport delegates on Wednesday 4 February 2004 and one for telephone sales delegates on Friday 6 February 2004.
10 February 2004 [full story]
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ASU wins increase in Qantas allowances
As from 1 February 2004 the ASU has won an increase in a range of allowances in the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award 2000 to take account of rises in the CPI since the last change in the award, which was 12 months ago.
03 February 2004 [full story]
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Jetstar to employ check-in staff
Jetstar has today advised the ASU that it is their intention to directly employ customer service / check-in staff at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports to perform these functions for the new airline.
23 January 2004 [full story]
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Qantas ETA Reclassification Refused
The dispute over the correct classification of the Qantas ETA position continues. As you would be aware, ETA staff and the ASU contends that the role of ETA has changed significantly since its inception, with the recent inclusion of handling complaint calls and misquotes – both functions previously handled by level 7 Supervisors.
19 January 2004 [full story]
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Qantas ETA Classification Dispute Continues
The dispute over the correct classification of the ETA continues. As most would be aware, the ASU contends that the role of ETA has changed significantly since its inception, with the recent inclusion of handling complaint calls and misquote – both functions were previously handled by level 7 Supervisors.
09 December 2003 [full story]
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Jetstar – Low Cost Concern?
Qantas’ announcement this week about its proposed Low Cost Carrier Jetstar gives us a taste of things to come as we try to second guess what the new airlines creation will mean for existing staff in Qantas and Impulse.
04 December 2003 [full story]
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Treat us like mushrooms – feed us….
Today ASU officers Linda White and Raph Kennedy and QFIT Datacentre delegate John Sullivan met with Bill Short and Mathew Kempton, Human Resource Managers at IBM to get the IBM version of the outsourcing tale.
28 November 2003 [full story]
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Dispute brews at Qantas Holidays
As most staff would now be aware, a dispute is brewing about the changed role of ETA staff. Meetings have been held in both Melbourne and Brisbane explaining the issue.
14 November 2003 [full story]
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Qantas’ goose cooked at catering
ASU members at QFCL Sydney are celebrating a recent decision of the Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) which confirmed that the AIRC has powers under our EBA to make decisions about issues that are in dispute between ASU members and Qantas.
13 November 2003 [full story]
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OHS at Qantas - Unions force changes as Random Testing Fight Continues
Qantas management was clearly taken aback by the thousands of Qantas workers who signed the petition opposing the introduction of random drug and alcohol testing and attended meetings at airports.
11 November 2003 [full story]
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It’s time to ask the Qantas Board some questions
Last week all Qantas staff who are shareholders should have received a notice advising that this year’s Annual General Meeting is to be held on Thursday 16 October 2003 at 2.00pm at Hall G of the Adelaide Convention Centre.
22 September 2003 [full story]
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Qantas – Drug & Alcohol Policy Update
A report back before Senior Deputy President Watson was held today (Tuesday 9 September 2003) in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Both Qantas and the ACTU on behalf of Qantas Unions reported that no agreement had been reached regarding the introduction of random drug and alcohol testing.
09 September 2003 [full story]
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Qantas tones down the rhetoric
Last Tuesday (26 August 2003) all Qantas Unions attended a briefing from Geoff Dixon following the company’s end of year profit results. Like every year before it, Qantas’ need for further cost savings was a significant theme. Geoff Dixon announced the “sustainable futures” program, including:
04 September 2003 [full story]
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What sort of Qantas do you want our children to inherit?
This week Qantas have made a number of announcements that will have a dramatic impact on the employment security of Qantas staff.
22 August 2003 [full story]
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Qantas Workers Unions Fighting Together
In an unprecedented and provocative move Qantas has indicated that it no longer intends to directly employ staff in many areas and its preference is to replace its existing permanent staff with employees from labour hire firms.
20 August 2003 [full story]
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Qantas Attacks its own Workforce
Qantas has today introduced a casual labour hire workforce at Melbourne Airport. In moves reminiscent of the waterfront dispute Qantas has introduced an overseas trained labour force on the ramp. Qantas has informed the ACTU that it no longer intends to directly employ employees performing TWU functions at Melbourne. Qantas management has also confirmed plans to introduce labour hire and overseas based employees in most work areas across the country.
20 August 2003 [full story]
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OHS at Qantas - Thousands sign petitions
On Friday 15 August 2003 the Qantas unions handed to Qantas petitions signed by over 8,000 Qantas employees opposing Qantas’ proposed random drug and alcohol policy. The level of opposition to Qantas’ plans is unprecedented and is found in all sections of the Qantas workforce.
19 August 2003 [full story]
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Management move on members key issues in Operations Resources
The following is an update on the ASU negotiations with Qantas over the restructuring in Operations Resources.
Throughout the restructure process the ASU has held a number of meetings with Operations Resources members and so we have been able to identify the issues that are paramount to you. Agreement on the issues outlined below only occurred after we were able to show the company through strong support at meetings that the majority of staff felt strongly about the issues.
12 August 2003 [full story]
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Qantas told to back off on drug testing trial
Yesterday the ASU and other unions attended the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) in Melbourne as part of proceedings brought to stop the new policy of random drug and alcohol testing at Qantas.
08 August 2003 [full story]
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OHS at Qantas - Qantas Caught Out!
Just one day after writing to unions and undertaking to continue discussions on their alcohol and other drug policy, Qantas has admitted a random drug and alcohol testing pilot will commence in Sydney in mid August, to be implemented across Australia soon after.
23 July 2003 [full story]
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OHS at Qantas - My Health Is My Business!
The unions at Qantas are taking a stand on the proposed random drug and alcohol testing scheme that the airline wants to introduce. A joint bulletin has been released by the ACTU and 10 Qantas unions including the ASU all of whom say it is time for Qantas employees to take a stand together against this policy.
10 July 2003 [full story]
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Qantas Crewing Confusion Continues
On Thursday 27 June 2003 ASU representatives from central crewing and ports crewing met Qantas management about the ongoing restructure in the operations resources area.
30 June 2003 [full story]
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You, ought to be congratulated!
What an incredible year we have had so far at Qantas. Many people have said many things about the airline industry, about the changing international market, about the terrible events happening in the world, and a lot of negative things have been said about the workers at Qantas much of it by Qantas management.
19 June 2003 [full story]
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Update on the First Wave of redundancies at Qantas
We expect that in the next two weeks plans for redundancies will be announced in most ASU areas in Qantas arising from the first wave of 1000 redundancies announced by Geoff Dixon on 9 April 2003.
16 May 2003 [full story]
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The lowdown on redundancies at airports
Today, ASU officials and delegates met with the Company to discuss the proposed redundancies in airports which are part of the April redundancy announcement by Geoff Dixon.
14 May 2003 [full story]
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More on the Qantas redundancies
Last Friday 11 April 2003 the ASU received a further briefing from Qantas on the likely impact on ASU areas of the 1000 redundancies announced by Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon on 9 April 2003.
14 April 2003 [full story]
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Qantas announces redundancies
Yesterday Qantas made a move which it has been signalling to the media for some weeks, finally declaring an intention to make 1000 Qantas staff redundant. There are also plans for 300 staff to go from full time to part time and 400 more staff to go on leave.
10 April 2003 [full story]
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The New Qantas Classification Structure
On 11 March 2003 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission approved the ASU's application to put a classification structure in our Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Limited) Award. This is the main ASU Award and covers around 9500 employees at Qantas.
17 March 2003 [full story]
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It’s time to celebrate!
After many years of negotiations the Australian Industrial Relations Commission today (11 March 2003) approved the ASU’s application to put a classification structure in our Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Limited) Award. This is the main ASU Award and covers around 9500 employees at Qantas.
12 March 2003 [full story]
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Qantas looks for Strike-breakers
ASU members know what it is like to struggle to battle for wage justice.
Our co-workers and fellow unionists who are members of the Flight Attendants Association (FAAA) International Division are currently engaged in such a struggle with Qantas.
06 March 2003 [full story]
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You can’t teach an old dog a new trick
Today in the Sydney Morning Herald, one day before the half yearly profit announcement tomorrow, Qantas has chosen to announce that they are planning 2500 redundancies.
19 February 2003 [full story]
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Qantas Award Allowances Increase
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has today approved increases to a range of allowances in the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award 2000 to take into account the rises in CPI since the last increase occurred 12 months ago.
29 January 2003 [full story]
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Eastern Airlines EBA Approved
The votes in the ASU’s Eastern Australia Airlines EBA were counted today and 84% of those who cast a valid vote voted YES to approving the EBA for Eastern Airlines staff in Group 1 in NSW and Victoria.
28 January 2003 [full story]
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It’s official– Tech Salaried EBA endorsed
Early this week the ASU held its vote on the Qantas Technical Salaried Enterprise Bargaining Agreement V. The vote was unanimously in favour of the agreement.
12 December 2002 [full story]
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Don't worry - be happy...
This was pretty much the theme of Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon’s briefing on 9 December 2002 to Union representatives about the proposed Qantas purchase of 22.5% of the shares of Air NZ which was announced last month and which now faces close scrutiny by regulators on both sides of the Tasman.
11 December 2002 [full story]
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There may be a drought but it’s raining EBAs in Qantas Regionals
Over the past few months there has been significant developments in the negotiations for new Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) for the Qantas Regional Airlines – Eastern, Impulse, Sunstate and Southern Airlines.
08 November 2002 [full story]
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Tech Salaried Staff EBAV recommended
After recommencement of negotiations and suitable amendments, the ASU is now in the position to recommend Qantas Enterprise Bargaining Agreement V (EBAV) to members. The EBA still must go through the appropriate voting process and that means you decide.
04 November 2002 [full story]
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It’s official - Qantas EBA endorsed
The votes in the ASU’s Qantas EBA VI were counted today and an overwhelming 91.85% of those who cast a valid vote, voted yes to approving the EBA for the 9701 employees in ASU areas in Qantas, Qantas Holidays, QFIT Levels 1-10 and QFCL. This vote follows the approval of the EBA at meetings of ASU members in September 2002.
11 October 2002 [full story]
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Did you know that Qantas Directors want you to give them a 36% pay rise?
Yes, that’s right at this year’s Annual General Meeting of Qantas Airways Limited which is to be held on Thursday 17 October 2002 at 2.00pm at the Burswood Convention Centre Perth, Qantas Directors are asking shareholders to vote them an increase in pay from $1.1m per year to $1.5m and increase of 36%.
09 October 2002 [full story]
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Vote YES to EBA VI
On Wednesday 2 October 2002 voting will commence on the ASU Qantas EBA VI. The ASU is recommending a YES vote in this ballot as the agreement has been endorsed by meetings of ASU members.
27 September 2002 [full story]
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Company advises of claim for QFIT A-Cs
Your Negotiating Team met with the Qantas IT Management team (Jane Thornton, Kate Nuttall, Ryan Willemsen-Bell, and John Short) for the first time last Friday.
25 September 2002 [full story]
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Qantas members endorse deal
Meetings of Qantas ASU members around Australia have voted to endorse the EBA VI deal recommended by the National Negotiating Team and ASU delegates.
16 September 2002 [full story]
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Qantas Delegates meet to consider EBA VI deal
Almost 100 ASU delegates from around Australia met in Sydney on Monday 9 September 2002 to discuss the EBA VI deal recommended by the National Negotiating Team (NNT) which came from talks with Qantas on 30 August 2002 following ASU members industrial action on 2 and 19 August 2002.
10 September 2002 [full story]
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National Negotiating Team to recommend deal to Qantas delegates
After many months of discussion, the ASU National Negotiating Team now believes they have negotiated a deal with Qantas that can be recommended to a national meeting of ASU delegates for consideration.
03 September 2002 [full story]
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Strike action a success
Yesterday ASU members across Australia took strike action for 24 hours and forced the cancellation of around 170 domestic flights and the rescheduling of a further 30 flights and the delay of every domestic, regional and international flight.
20 August 2002 [full story]
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A Message to Passengers from Qantas Staff
Qantas staff are sorry that we had to take industrial action today and disrupt some travel plans but Qantas left us with no choice as they have refused to negotiate.
19 August 2002 [full story]
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A Message of Support from ACTU Secretary for Qantas Members
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet today issued the following statement in support of the ASU members at Qantas who are taking industrial action across Australia on Monday 19 August 2002.
16 August 2002 [full story]
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ASU Members – United and Strong
ASU members in Qantas across Australia will take further industrial action for 24 hours on Monday 19 August 2002 in support of our claims for job security, a fair wage increase, job share and a classification structure that recognises our skills.
16 August 2002 [full story]
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It’s just not a fair deal Geoff
Members of the Australian Services Union took unprecedented national industrial action on Friday 2nd August in pursuit of a fair and reasonable EBA. Talks with Qantas recommenced on Thursday 8th August.
14 August 2002 [full story]
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Talks continue with Qantas
The ASU National Negotiating Team met with Qantas on Thursday 8 August 2002 following our successful industrial action across the country on Friday 2 August 2002.
09 August 2002 [full story]
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Meeting Date with Qantas Changed
The ASU and Qantas have agreed to change the date of EBA VI meeting scheduled for Wednesday 7 August 2002. The meeting will now be held on Thursday 8 August 2002.
06 August 2002 [full story]
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United we bargain
On Friday 2 August 2002 ASU members across Australia took unprecedented industrial action in support of our claims against Qantas for our EBA VI.
05 August 2002 [full story]
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A Message to Passengers from Qantas Staff
Qantas staff are sorry that we had to take industrial action today and disrupt some travel plans but Qantas left us with no choice as they have refused to talk to our National Negotiating Team since Monday.
01 August 2002 [full story]
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SAE is it really off the table?
Qantas have notified staff today that they are withdrawing the Suitable Alternative Employment (SAE) proposals and the Unit Cost Clause from their claims but we have to ask are they really? And what are Qantas trying to achieve?
31 July 2002 [full story]
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Industrial Action Plan for Qantas 2nd August 2002
ASU members across Australia have planned Protected Industrial Action at Qantas on Friday 2nd August 2002.
30 July 2002 [full story]
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Talks with Qantas Break Down – Now It’s Action
Last minute talks with Qantas were held today (29 July 2002) following the resounding endorsement by members across the country calling on Qantas for movement on our EBA claims.
29 July 2002 [full story]
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Is Eastern serious about our claims?
The ASU Negotiating Team has now had 3 meetings with Eastern Australia Airlines. Here is a summary of the position so far as at the last meeting on 24 July 2002:
29 July 2002 [full story]
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Time to decide is it good enough?
At our meeting on 18 and 19 July 2002 Qantas said they were putting their final position on our claims. This is a summary of their position on our claims:
22 July 2002 [full story]
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Qantas’ Transmission of Business Clause – What would it mean?
At the eighth EBA VI negotiation meeting Qantas surprised the ASU team by adding a claim to their wish list very late in the piece. The claim relates to transmission of business and suitable alternative employment (SAE), and has implications for your redundancy entitlements.
22 July 2002 [full story]
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Qantas is not acting on Impulse
The ASU Negotiating Team has now met with Impulse / Qantas management on six occasions and we are still no closer to reaching an agreement.
22 July 2002 [full story]
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Sunstate Enterprise Bargaining Round 2
Your enterprise bargaining representatives met today, Wednesday 17 July to continue the negotiations for your enterprise agreement.
22 July 2002 [full story]
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8 meetings down and now a new claim
At our EBA VI meeting with Qantas on 4 July 2002 Qantas tabled a new clause they want included in the EBA which deals with transmission of business, suitable alternative employment and the payment of redundancy. We also discussed job share, access and allocation of leave and the Sales Executive Offer.
08 July 2002 [full story]
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Time to get serious about your wage rise!
On 27 June 2002 the National Negotiating Team again met with Qantas and discussed a range of issues including Job Share, Childcare, OHS, Bargaining Fees, Sales Executives Allowances, QFIT, Access to Leave and Superannuation.
01 July 2002 [full story]
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Expect a visit from your manager soon
The 1st July 2002 is looming. So over the next few weeks your manager may be sent to brief you about the Company’s view on our enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations.
24 June 2002 [full story]
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Plenty of talk – not much action
After six meeting with Qantas and with the ASU’s EBA V Agreement about to expire on 30 June 2002 it is time to assess where we are at with negotiations for EBA VI.
19 June 2002 [full story]
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Southern Airlines – ASU Members in Dispute
ASU Members employed by Southern Airlines have been advised by Qantas that most of their jobs will be made redundant later this year.
17 June 2002 [full story]
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Victory comes with perseverance
The ASU EBA Negotiating Team has met with Qantas on 4 and 12 June 2002. Talks continue at a snails pace, but we should revel in our first small win – it’s a lesson in perseverance.
14 June 2002 [full story]
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Perseverance delivers our first win!
As you will remember, last year over 2000 Qantas staff signed a petition supporting our claim that QFIT 1 – 10s should be included in the main round negotiations with the rest of Qantas.
14 June 2002 [full story]
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The Company finally gives the ASU its Claim for QFIT
After the 4th meeting between the ASU National Negotiating Team (NNT) and Qantas Management, the ASU office has now received the company’s claim for QFIT 1-10s.
06 June 2002 [full story]
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Triton Temps – Telephone Sales Update
After a number of weeks of discussions, your ASU delegates have been able to finalise the negotiations with Qantas about the engagement of temps for the Triton training.
30 May 2002 [full story]
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It’s money for nothing, but nothing’s for free
At the EBA meeting with Qantas on 28 May 2002, General Manager IR Steve Schofield told the ASU National Negotiating Team that all Qantas wanted to do was give us “3% per year for 3 years for nothing” – if only that was true.
29 May 2002 [full story]
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Ever had a problem with the grading of your position?
One of the major claims we have put forward for the current round of Qantas EBA negotiations is finalising, once and for all, the Classification Structure. For many staff hearing about finalising this structure, that has been outstanding for a very long time, is deja vue. Why should we start all over again?
21 May 2002 [full story]
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The Answer is No, No, No and No
Qantas responded to the ASU’s EBA VI claim detailed to the Company in the first negotiation meeting, at the second negotiation meeting on Tuesday 14 May 2002.
15 May 2002 [full story]
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Temp talks at telesales break down
The Qantas Telephone Sales Triton Temps Negotiating Team met with Qantas on 7 and 10 May 2002 to talk about how the Triton training would be covered by staff – but unfortunately talks have broken down.
10 May 2002 [full story]
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Qantas Regionals Roundup
With the current review of the Qantas Regional businesses – Qantas Link – there has been a lot happening in the regional airlines of Southern, Eastern, Sunstate and Impulse/Air Connex so the ASU is starting a new Qantas Regionals Bulletin to keep our members up to date on the issues and activities in each Airline.
10 May 2002 [full story]
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Let the games begin…..
Yesterday (7 May 2002) your ASU National Negotiating Team met with Qantas for the first time and tabled the full detailed proposals for the majority of our claims.
08 May 2002 [full story]
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Strong, United and Ready to Go
Today the ASU will formally deliver our claim to Qantas and start our bargaining for EBA VI. This follows the endorsement of the claim by meetings of ASU members across Qantas in every State and Territory in Australia.
03 May 2002 [full story]
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Triton Temps Talks Begin in Telesales/QBT
ASU Telephone Sales delegates Barry Hoger (Brisbane), Chris Lytas (Melbourne), Marie Pappicio (Hobart), Andrew Austin (QBT Melbourne) and Linda White (Assistant National Secretary) met with Qantas Management on 22 April 2002 about the proposal to introduce 40 temporary employees in North Sydney for 6 – 8 months, Monday to Friday on daywork while Telephone Sales staff learn the new Amadeus system. Qantas also proposed 18 temps for QBT across Australia.
22 April 2002 [full story]
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National Delegates Recommend EBA Strategy
Nearly 100 ASU Qantas Delegates from around Australia met in Sydney on 16 & 17 April 2002 to consider the results of the ASU’s EBA Survey, and examine the international airline industry conditions so that recommendations can be made to members about a claim for EBA VI.
19 April 2002 [full story]
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Southern Airlines Jobs on the Line
On Wednesday 10 April 2002 Mildura, Melbourne and Canberra, staff were given a briefing by management on the changes that management are proposing to the way in which the Regional fleets and crews are managed and operated.
12 April 2002 [full story]
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ECM’s on the way says Qantas
On 15 March 2002 ASU delegates from Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne Airports met with Qantas management about plans to introduce Electronic Checkin Machines (ECM’s) in the domestic terminals at these airports by June 2002.
20 March 2002 [full story]
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It's EBA Survey Time Again
During March ASU delegates and representatives across Australia will be asking you to fill out our Qantas EBA VI Survey so that we get a clear indication of what members want to achieve in the next agreement with Qantas.
08 March 2002 [full story]
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EBA 20 Day Payout On The Way
In the pays due next week Qantas members covered by the Airline Officers Award will receive a letter from Qantas about the optional payout of accrued 20th Days over and above 2 days as negotiated in the ASU Qantas EBA.
22 February 2002 [full story]
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ASU Qantas EBA V Approved by AIRC
Today the Australian Industrial Relations Commission certified (approved) the ASU Qantas EBA V which means the Agreement comes into operation from 1 February 2002, as does Qantas’ agreement to change their international staff travel policy. The Agreement expires on 30 June 2002.
01 February 2002 [full story]
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ASU’s Qantas EBA Endorsed
The votes in the ASU’s Qantas EBA V were counted on Friday 18 January 2002 and an overwhelming 80% of those who voted, voted yes to approving the EBA for the 8500 employees in ASU areas in Qantas, Qantas Holidays, QFIT and QFCL. This vote follows the approval of the EBA at meetings of ASU members in November and December 2001.
21 January 2002 [full story]
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Vote YES to EBA V
Between Christmas and New Year all 8500 Qantas employees covered by the proposed EBA V Agreement will receive ballot papers to vote for the new Agreement.
21 December 2001 [full story]
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ASU Members Endorse Agreement
Meetings of ASU members across the country have endorsed the Union?s one year EBA V deal with Qantas.
10 December 2001 [full story]
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Revised Qantas Level 10 - 13's Proposal
The 10 - 13's package has been negotiated as far as possible. The revised package is now to go to vote to all Levels 10 - 13's to determine whether it becomes part of the EBA package for all Qantas staff to vote on.
06 December 2001 [full story]
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ASU Delegates recommend an EBA Deal
After marathon talks with Qantas on Sunday 18 & Monday 19 November 2001 your ASU National Negotiating Team and delegates now believe we have struck the best deal by negotiation that we could get given the current environment.
21 November 2001 [full story]
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The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Last week Qantas engaged political pollsters ANOP to conduct a survey of Level 10 – 13 staff to gauge reaction to the proposed package.
14 November 2001 [full story]
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No Job Security, No Pay Rise, No Recognition
At the meeting with the ASU National Negotiating Team on 7 November 2001 Qantas rejected our major claims of job security and a base rate pay rise and have introduced the “new” old issues of sick leave notice and buyout of RDO’s – issues they told us on 23 October 2001 they no longer wanted to pursue.
08 November 2001 [full story]
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Latest Update for QFIT & EBA V
The ASU Negotiating team have met with Qantas and following is a copy of their revised agenda.
06 November 2001 [full story]
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New Level 10–13’s Package – What’s your view?
Prior to September 11 2001, the ASU convened a number of meetings and circulated a bulletin far and wide to get an indication of the view of Level 10’s – 13’s (and Levels 8’s and 9’s “special interest groups”) on the Company’s proposal.
02 November 2001 [full story]
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It's Just a Question of Fairness
After getting feedback all week from ASU members across the country the National Negotiating Team were able to go to our meeting with Qantas on Tuesday 30 October 2001 with a clear message – all we want is to be treated fairly and have our contribution to Qantas properly recognised and appreciated.
31 October 2001 [full story]
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Qantas throws a new proposal on the table
The ASU negotiating team attended the Union Summit with all other Unions in Qantas on Monday 22nd October. CEO Geoff Dixon put his revised EBA agenda to the Summit.
26 October 2001 [full story]
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There’s money for planes, but not for people
That’s the clear message that Qantas is sending to staff following yesterday’s announcement of their plans to buy new aircraft.
19 October 2001 [full story]
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New meeting dates for EBA discussions confirmed
Today (Tuesday 16 October, 2001) the ASU’s National Negotiating Team met by teleconference with Qantas management to discuss progressing our EBA discussions.
16 October 2001 [full story]
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Have you got a question you want to ask the Directors of Qantas?
If your answer is YES – you will soon have a chance to have that question asked at the Annual General Meeting of Qantas Airways Limited which is to be held on Thursday 18 October 2001 at 2.00pm at the Melbourne Concert Hall, Victorian Arts Centre, St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
09 October 2001 [full story]
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It’s time to get the EBA back on track
Today we have written our third letter to Qantas management demanding a meeting to recommence our Enterprise Bargaining discussions.
05 October 2001 [full story]
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Negotiations postponed by Qantas
Following the postponement of the industrial action last week due to the terrorist action in USA, the Company contacted the Union office to delay the negotiation meeting which was scheduled for Tuesday 18 September. We are still awaiting a date for a further meeting.
20 September 2001 [full story]
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Industrial action postponed due to American crisis
An urgent message to all ASU members in Qantas.
The crisis in America overnight has lead to ASU Delegates recommending to members that the industrial action, scheduled for today, be postponed.
12 September 2001 [full story]
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ASU members to take industrial action
Following meetings of ASU members across Australia including a meeting of almost 500 ASU members from the Qantas Centre, APC and Engineering and Maintenance in Sydney, the ASU has notified Qantas and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission that members in a number of areas intend to take industrial action on Wednesday 12 September 2001 (see below for details).
07 September 2001 [full story]
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How much do you stand to lose?
A New Starter working 3 shifts week beginning before 7am or finishing after 7pm loses $920.40 (due to loss of Transport Allowance).
04 September 2001 [full story]
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Load Control outsourcing dispute resolved: thanks for your support
Further to the ASU bulletin entitled “2000 Years of Service should Count for Something” published early in June of this year, the Load Control dispute has finally been settled.
29 August 2001 [full story]
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What to do if there is strike action by other unions
Members have asked the union that in an event of a strike or stop work in another work area or in their own work area by other employees, are they obligated if asked by management to do the work in that other area.
17 August 2001 [full story]
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Qantas outsources reservations work
Yesterday Qantas announced that the 100 former Impulse staff in Newcastle will be employed to do Qantas frequent flyer bookings, which is work currently performed by Qantas staff at the Hobart, Melbourne and Brisbane call centres.
01 August 2001 [full story]
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Meetings called for EBA reportback
Following our eighth meeting with Qantas management the National Negotiating Team has determined that it is time members caught up with where the negotiations are up to. Meetings will be held with ASU members and in some workplace non-members to discuss progress so far, all members are asked to attend. See your local delegate or notice board for details.
01 August 2001 [full story]
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Qantas claims their bucket is empty
After further frustrating negotiations this week the ASU National Negotiating Team is convinced that Qantas Management is stalling the ASU negotiations until the TWU deal for a wages freeze is settled.
25 July 2001 [full story]
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Half time scoreboard
The ASU has had six meetings with Qantas Management so far and while we have resolved a few issues, the vast majority of the ASU claim is still being discussed.
17 July 2001 [full story]
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Negotiations move up a gear!
EBA discussions held on Monday 9 July, 2001 focussed primarily on the terms of a National Job Share agreement with Qantas.
10 July 2001 [full story]
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United – we are now bargaining
After 2 days of EBA discussions on 27 and 28 June 2001, Qantas has finally agreed to include Qantas Information Technology (“QFIT”) in our enterprise agreement with the Company.
03 July 2001 [full story]
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QF proposes changes for level 11-13
On 20 June 2001, your National Negotiating Team attended the latest meeting to discuss the terms of the next EBA.
21 June 2001 [full story]
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2000 years of service should count for something
The 100 staff in Load Control Centres in Sydney and Melbourne have a combined total of over 2000 years service with Qantas and its predecessor airlines yet they are now facing an uncertain future.
06 June 2001 [full story]
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Dubai in the sky?
If you thought that the prospect of a Company training people as strike breakers at an overseas location was the sort of thing that only happened on the wharves – think again.
01 June 2001 [full story]
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Just another snow job
ASU Representatives from Load Control in Melbourne and Sydney met with Qantas Management – Alan Snowball General Manager Airports Development & Contracts, Steve Schofield, Chris Black and Michael Eizenberg from Corporate HR / IR on 29 May 2001 following stopwork meetings in Load Control on 28 May 2001.
31 May 2001 [full story]
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We must be united - we will NOT beg
At the latest EBA negotiating meeting with Qantas on 29 May 2001, management have said they will not negotiate and Agreement with us that includes ASU members from Qantas Information Technology (“QFIT”).
30 May 2001 [full story]
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Qantas gives us economy class syndrome
That’s the only way to describe the log of claims your ASU National Negotiating Team received from Qantas on the first day of EBA negotiations on 21 May 2001.
22 May 2001 [full story]
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We need answers NOW
Despite a meeting with Senior Qantas Management on Friday 18 May 2001, we are no closer to knowing what Qantas’ plans are for the Call Centre operated on Impulse in Newcastle after the ACCC approved the Qantas Impulse deal.
22 May 2001 [full story]
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“There will be no forced redundancies”
This afternoon, Geoff Dixon has given his word to the union office that there will be no forced redundancies as a result of the Qantas/Impulse deal.
17 May 2001 [full story]
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Campaign stretches to ACCC’s Fels
At Melbourne Airport this morning the ASU presented the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) head, Professor Alan Fels with a petition with hundreds of signatures urging him to take account of ASU members concerns about the proposed relationship between Qantas and Impulse.
15 May 2001 [full story]
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“I will come back to you on that.”
That was the answer given by Steve Schofield (General Manager Industrial Relations) 23 times yesterday when ASU union delegates and officials met with Qantas management to discuss the impact of the wet leasing of Impulse Airline services on ASU members at airports.
10 May 2001 [full story]
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The latest on the Qantas – Impulse deal
07 May 2001 [full story]
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Impulse deal threatens Qantas jobs
Qantas’ announcement on 1st May that the company is bailing out failed airline Impulse is a direct threat to ASU members at airports and in Reservations in Qantas.
03 May 2001 [full story]
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It’s May Day – we’re on our way
Our claim for EBA V has been overwhelmingly endorsed by ASU members across Qantas in every State and Territory in Australia.
01 May 2001 [full story]
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EBA – we’re aiming for May
Since our last Bulletin (No. 64) on 5 April 2001 ASU members across Australia have been holding meetings to consider our claim for EBA V.
23 April 2001 [full story]
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EBA claim to go to members
Over 70 ASU Qantas delegates from around Australia met in Sydney on 2 & 3 April, 2001 to consider the results of the ASU’s EBA V Survey and make recommendations to members about our claims.
05 April 2001 [full story]
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Get your survey in – have a say
We have had a great response to our collective bargaining agreement survey so far and have received many surveys back from our members around Australia.
08 March 2001 [full story]
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We have the right to know… who will be the 1450 staff sacked?
Last Thursday in a textbook move, new CEO Geoff Dixon flexed his muscles and announced job losses, just as we predicted – citing the reasons we predicted in our Bulletin (see Qantas Bulletin No. 61).
26 February 2001 [full story]
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It’s Groundhog Day at Qantas
At 8am tomorrow morning, Thursday 22nd February, Qantas Management have called together officials from all the major unions so they can be addressed by Geoff Dixon ahead of the announcement of the half year profit.
21 February 2001 [full story]
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Call for airlines to sign up to charter
The ASU has written to both Qantas and Ansett asking the Companies to become signatories to the Call Centre Charter and Minimum Standards Code for Call Centres that has been developed by the ASU and other Unions under the leadership of the ACTU (Australian Council of Trade Unions).
09 February 2001 [full story]
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It’s time to tell us what you think
In the next few days ASU representatives and delegates around Australia will be asking staff to fill out a comprehensive survey designed to let us know the sort of issues or claims members want us to pursue in our next round of enterprise bargaining.
06 February 2001 [full story]
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Talks on QF classifications continue
As previously advised ASU representatives have been to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) on 7 November 2000 and 8 December 2000 to pursue our application to get classification descriptors and a structure inserted into the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award.
25 January 2001 [full story]
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