Arm_Doors,
Qantas has historically only terminated a new crew member who is on probation for serious misbehavior.
We are talking about personality types that for whatever reason are totally unsuitable for the position.
Sick leave use [within reason] shouldn't be an issue.
QF trainers even advise new crew to expect high levels of sickness due to lifestyle changes, fatigue and exposure to new food and viruses etc.
QF would most definately need to show cause as to why it had terminated crew during probation.
If someone has told you otherwise they are seriously mistaken or are using it as an empty threat.
A great deal of money has been spent on you remember and QF expect a return
The legislation states that no employee can be prejudiced through their lawful decision to take protected industrial action.
My advice would be to think very carefully about the reasons why longhaul crew are going to take this action.
At the end of the day it is so that YOU and your fellow fixed termers can have and KEEP your job.
You stand to gain far more than I do by the FAAA successfully negotiating a fair and sensible cap on the number of offshore crew employed by QF.
I'm going on strike.
Think about it.
Jettlager