Down-caste
caste (kãst): n :a social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank or profession or wealth
Issues thus far...
In November 2002 Qantas advertised Flight Attendant positions in a variety of media - Casual, Fixed Term AND Permanent.
People who successfully completed each stage of the recruitment process were advised, by email at the 5th and final stage, that they were on a 'shortlist', hence the name 'Shortlister'.
For most, that Stage 5 email arrived in February 2003.
Before this it had been customary practice of QF to offer every 'Shortlister' a training date....
EXCEPT...
Since then...
In the last 8 months while telling 'Shortlisters' things such as clearly the current downturn in the airline industry are impacting on any immediate initial Flight Attendant training programs with in Qantas, Qantas has recruited, trained, and increased the number of crew employed on a Long Haul base in Auckland.
Under New Zealand employment law Qantas is their employer, regardless of the piece of paper AKL crew sign at Adecco. More fool them for putting up with being what is now a caste system of cabin crewing at Qantas. BKK caste and AKL caste, with the Australian based caste on top. For BKK and AKL caste, less pay, no staff travel (worth mentioning), no super, no health care, no MPG or MBT. No seniority, no entitlement to apply to be a CSS or CSM. God help them if they ask to do anything except galley.
Then there are the expanding MAM caste, and the latest, possibly bottom of the ladder '10 month' caste. Even the AKL caste get 3 year terms.
Qantas advertised jobs in Australia, ran a recruitment program, and placed people on an approved applicant list (shortlist) but has not followed through in good faith. The people who were first in line have not been offered training as is customary practice.
So now, training positions are being filled en masse for externals in AKL (3 year terms). And the airline wants to open a London base too so that it can end Australian crew overnighting in the UK.
25% of all cabin crew jobs to be offshore.
Interesting to see where things are in 12 months.