GET THE BLAME RIGHT
The FAAA would have you believe that they were the catalyst for the introduction of many things, as this extract froma note on its website shows:
"21 October 2004
Attention all Qantas Long Haul Flight Attendants
UNION ACHIEVEMENTS OVER MANY YEARS
As we enter our negotiations for EBA VII on November 4 and 5 2004, it's appropriate for all crew to understand the achievements of the FAAA and its predecessors over many years.
Our strength in Collective Bargaining has been our unity and resolve to work together as a group with common interests and common goals.
To put things into perspective we will provide a list of some of the achievements of flight attendants and the Association though the bargaining processes, and often hard fought battles.
* Meal Allowances formula and SDTA ODTA & ADTA
*
* Accommodation in good standard of Hotels (no sharing rooms like some airlines)
* Home Transport Provisions
* No Airport standby's
* Crew rest seats – many airlines don't provide crew rest seats
* Bunks for Long Range Flying (1981 747SP Dispute)
* Crew meals on board
* Part-time work
* Bidding Systems
* Remote Access for bidding from home
* Qantas Shares
* Alternate paxing arrangements (Sign-on/sign-off in other ports)
* Redundancy Provisions well above community standards, redundancy still applying to those over 55
Listed above are some of the things that we all take for granted. None of these conditions were a “gift” to flight attendants by management.
Every one of these conditions were bargained for by the Union and Flight Attendants. The more important ones like crew rest, bunks, home transport and proper Redundancy, often after hard fought disputes."
Perhaps Roger Burrell and Gerry King are innocent after all!