TWU files federal lawsuit against Qantas over company’s decision to outsource 2,000 jobs

The main union representing aviation workers is set to file a federal lawsuit today in connection with Qantas’ plans to outsource more than 2,000 jobs.

Maurice Blackburn’s lawyers will file a lawsuit Wednesday against the Transport Workers ‘Union (DWU) seeking to overturn Qantas’ decision to outsource workers, saying the decision was illegal under the Fair Labor Act.

Qantas Outsources more than 2,000 vessels at 10 airports After Jetstar has already outsourced 400 jobs.

Package handlers, curve workers and cabin cleaners will lose their jobs at airports including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Alice Springs and Canberra.

Workers The last attempt to save their jobs failed, Despite a plan from them, they said would help the company cut costs.

Qantas said action is needed to outsource jobs to reduce costs as it faces financial impact from the corona virus outbreak.

Qualas CEO Alan Joyce said the airline expects revenue to fall by $ 11 billion this fiscal year, after hitting $ 4 billion in revenues in fiscal 2020.

Maurice Blackburn president Josh Bournstein, who works for TWU, said the case would test whether Qantas’ latest actions in dismissing workers and outsourcing their work were illegal.

“If Qantas can replace the thousands of employees it employs with cheap, unsafe labor, this could happen to any other employee in any Australian workplace.”

Has Qantas violated the Fair Work Act?

Mr Bournstein said by outsourcing the work, Qantas was trying to avoid collective bargaining under the Fair Labor Act.

“If outsourcing continues, Qantas will no longer have to negotiate with workers who do the work,” he said.

“Instead, Qantas can unilaterally impose a price on the services of outsourced workers, and those outsourced workers will not be allowed to bargain with Qantas under current IR laws.”

The corona virus epidemic highlights the plight of unsafe workers hired and outsourced workers, who often work underpaid and unsafe conditions.

He said that although Qantas may have suffered a huge financial loss due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the court will test whether this is the real purpose of outsourcing jobs.

“There have been successful challenges to outsourcing in the past – cases on the waterfront – we have stopped outsourcing.”

He noted that many large companies have been affected by the epidemic, but “only Qantas has taken this course”.

Qantas has received more than $ 800 million in support from the federal government, Mr Bornstein said.

The union says it is taking a stand against Qantas’ management

TWU National Secretary Michael Cain said Contas workers were taking a stand against air management.

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“The move by the Qantas management to lay off 2,000 workers is not only morally wrong, but we believe it is illegal under the Fair Labor Act,” Mr Cain said.

Federation of Trade Unions last month Lost appeal on federal court Qantas has to pay sick leave The 25,000 workers who were temporary were down Due to COVID-19.

Mr Joyce, who on Friday unveiled some of their next financial measures for recovery, said it was unclear what form the domestic economy would take next year once broad government support withdrew.

He said the international tour was unlikely to resume until July next year and that it would take several years to fully recover.

Mr Joyce said the company’s balance sheet “has a lot of repair work to do.”

Qantas Group reported a $ 2.7 billion loss in fiscal 2020 and a $ 4 billion loss in revenue.

Mr Joyce said with another revenue impact, the company had to make tough decisions.

“That’s why we focus on delivering our recovery plan, which involves following some difficult decisions to reconcile and respond to the new situations we unfortunately face,” Mr Joyce said.