The Australian Services Union has labelled the Qantas decision to shed 5000 full time workers across the Qantas Group as short sighted and has vowed to fight for every job.
ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White said that the Qantas announcement is devastating for the hard working staff of Qantas and its subsidiaries.
"It's outrageous that so many Qantas (and Jetstar) staff are going to bear the brunt of the poor business decisions made by Qantas in recent times.
"The ASU will fight for each and every job.
"Qantas have suggested they will seek to freeze wages until they achieve a full year underlying profit. This is an indefinite claim, and front line staff will have no influence over this outcome. It's punishing the workers for the poor business decisions made by Alan Joyce," Ms White said.
Victorian ASU Secretary Ingrid Stitt criticised the decision to shed thousands of jobs from the Qantas group and in particular from the Victorian economy already reeling from recent job losses.
"ASU members across the company are front line staff. They're in customer service, call centres and at check-in desks and in support roles across the airline group.
"These are the people who make Qantas the company that it is today. They are the reason you fly Qantas and Jetstar.
"Today's decision shows a disregard for the loyal hard-working staff who have helped make the Qantas brand so successful. Wages and conditions are not the problem at Qantas, and Qantas should not look to punish working people for the poor business nous of the management group.
"ASU members across the Qantas group earn modest wages and have always been prepared to adapt to make the airline more efficient. They do not deserve to wear the brunt of poor management decisions.
"Qantas is putting their reputation and the satisfaction of Australian customers on the line with today's announcement." Ms Stitt said
The ASU represents workers in airport check-in, head office, administration and finance, call centres, freight and engineering clerical workers and administrative, operations and technical staff. The ASU is the largest union operating in the Qantas Group covering around one third of the airline's Australian staff including in Jetstar and QantasLink.
For further media enquires please call Linda White on 0419 507 809