This from the FAAA website
http://www.faaadomestic.org.au/domes...l/jet23-04.htm
JET23-04 - 8 September, 2004
REMINDER - Vacuuming The Aircraft
This is just a timely reminder vacuuming the aircraft has never been and is still not part of our tidying procedures during aircraft turnarounds.
Our EBA covers our expected duties, if the company requires further assistance from flight attendants for example vacuuming, we should be paid accordingly and this should be done through negotiation.
Jetstar flight attendants are already assisting above and beyond the conditions in our EBA by collecting rubbish from seats on each turnaround, we all know this was not procedure prior to the start up of Jetstar!
Other Jetstar Employees Vacuuming
The relationship and culture we have had with our pilots, ground staff and management to date has been very rare and unique and we don’t want to see this deteriorate any further. There have been many reports
of pilots, tac’s and base managers using the vacuums in front of flight attendants inferring “if we can do it why can’t you guys”. Please stand back and let them do this if they so desire; you are not to feel bad about other Jetstar employees cleaning the aircraft. Remember when we were Impulse/Qantas Link, cleaners came on every turnaround and did the same thing.
If they are happy performing a duty that they are not paid for and one that someone else used to do, then that’s their business.
At this stage, flight attendants are not required to nor are they paid to clean the aircraft during turnarounds, (you might also ask the question on when we would have time for this in 25 minutes, but that’s another argument for another day). As advised in our previous newsletter, we are all employed under our relevant Enterprise Agreements and currently our Agreement provides for a tidying procedure, a procedure that has never included vacuuming the aircraft on our turnarounds. The Company has stated time and time again that it is committed to the current EBA, well so should we be. If the Company want cleaning to be a new part of our duties and it can be demonstrated that there is no other alternative, then the negotiation table is the place for those discussions to take place, not on board, not on the ground, not in front of other Jetstar staff, only at the negotiating table.
Harassment In The Workplace
It is most disconcerting to your Association and representatives to be advised that flight attendants are being pressured and feeling subsequently harassed by various Jetstar employees, be that management, ground staff or during training courses, to use the vacuum cleaners. Your Association and representatives continue to seek your assistance in providing us with information on these instances as they occur, we see this as encouraging you to work outside the provisions of your EBA.
Our strong advice to members is that regardless of your personal commitment to your EBA and the conditions contained therein, you cannot instruct another flight attendant to either use or not to use the vacuum cleaners. Advising someone of their current EBA conditions, the conditions that you are being paid for, is all you can do. Individuals have a choice and their choice is their own. The FAAA and its representatives do not and will not advocate harassment in the workplace. We strongly advise all flight attendants to be mindful of how your comments could be perceived by someone else.
Remember, the test for harassment in the workplace is not what you say, or indeed how you say it, it is how the person you are talking to feels about what you have said.
Now quite clearly this works both ways in the “should I vacuum, shouldn’t I vacuum” debate. However inferring that crew have an obligation to and indeed new trainees being told they have to, use the vacuum cleaners has done a good enough job of dividing flight attendants on this issue. As a group, it is up to us to ensure this does not get any worse. We all know that we are much better off when we stay united.
Perhaps it would be better for flight attendants to keep a copy of this newsletter with them when flying and if approached and somehow encouraged, in whatever way, to use the vacuum cleaners, you could simply pass on the advice your Association and representatives have provided you with.
Members are directed to comply with their EBA and current practices by continuing to tidy the aircraft. This DOES NOT include using the portable carpet sweepers.
This newsletter was written by the Jetstar Team and authorised by Jo Ann Davidson, Divisional President and Dannielle Morgan, Senior Industrial Organiser
So, there you go fellas. The hosties are not going to be sadie the cleaning lady on the aircraft. But it seems the metrosexual Pilots are going to be housemaids..
You Blokes have got to be kidding. Have some pride!!!!!!!!!!