UNION NEWSLETTER
20 April 2006
Attention All Qantas Long Haul and Australian Airlines Flight Attendants
FAAA MEMBER REINSTATED BY AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
The FAAA is pleased to advise members that a member dismissed by Qantas because of what was alleged to be her medical unfitness for work as a flight attendant and her refusal to accept an offer to apply for other work within Qantas has today ( 19 April) been reinstated by Order of Senior Deputy President Drake of the AIRC.
The FAAA spent approximately $25,000 on Barrister representation and expert Medical evidence to mount the successful challenge to the dismissal. In addition to the direct costs were the indirect costs of the work done by our Industrial staff. The FAAA is also currently defending two other members of the FAAA who have also been dismissed as a result of disciplinary proceedings.
Whilst the privacy of individuals must be protected, it is appropriate to say that the FAAA takes advice from our Industrial Officers and Legal Advisers on the merits of each case and then we decide if resources are to be expended on individual cases.
Crew would also be aware that the incidence of disciplinary actions against crew is high and unrelenting.
In this environment, we urge the tiny element who remain non members to urgently join the FAAA. THE FAAA WILL NOT PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND/OR INDUSTRIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NON MEMBERS WHO RUN TO THE FAAA FOR ASSISTANCE WHEN THREATENED BY SERIOUS DISCIPLINARY ACTION OR DISMISSAL.
Last week, a non member was declined assistance in relation to probable dismissal. The individual voluntarily and consciously ceased being a member several years back and despite the ability to have re-joined the FAAA chose not to.
The cost and expertise required for complex defence of our members should now be apparent to all. If individuals still continue to choose to remain non members, no sympathy will be extended to them by the FAAA.
NO PERSON WILL BE ABLE TO PLEAD IGNORANCE.
The current industrial environment is tough and if anything will become tougher. Our level of membership is at a historic high. Only by acting together collectively do we maximize our chances to protect job security and working conditions.
BE AN FAAA MEMBER OR BE AT RISK!
Written and authorised by Michael Mijatov- Secretary International Division.