Originally Posted by
krismiler
There are two schools of thought:
1. Having got a substantial reduction in ground handling charges, there is less pressure for reductions in other areas.
2. Having got a substantial reduction in ground handling charges, continue the momentum across all departments. Restructure and break union control.
Baggage handlers were grossly overpaid and only got what they did because of their ability to ground the airline, they can easily be replaced. This has been demonstrated many times as other airlines outsourced.
Pilots are a different matter, safety critical and expensive to train, the company has a considerable investment in each one that they employ. Overall a relatively small percentage of operating costs so less reward for cost reduction but plenty of potential for disruption, and not so easy to replace given lengthy training and lead in requirements.
Possibly a few concessions needed during the current situation but T&Cs can be restored once profitability returns.
My point wasn't so much that qantas will be looking to replace its entire pilot workforce but rather the lack of empathy towards your fellow workers because they were paid above market rates, when it would be difficult to argue that QF pilots arent in a similar position (I recall a thread about a year ago of QF 737 drivers gloating about how much they were earning).
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