for clarification what is sad is that the public believe it, not that it is true
Let's face the facts. Qantas is the most heavily unionised company in australia and yet despite the bleating of some in current management they would have you believe that Qantas suffers as a result of that.
The reality, whilst average incomes in Australia over the last few years have risen by over 4% pa, Qantas workers except for management have restrained themselves to 3% outcomes, a pay freeze for 12 mths and generally since EBA's started have a lower outcome in wages than average Australians.
Having said that Qantas is one of the most profitable airlines in the world, assisted by the level of protection and the demise of AN , but nonetheless its hard to argue that Qantas workers in general are overpaid.
The terms overpaid is one that is very subjective and deals usually with relativities. By Most standards around the world most workers are better off. but isnt that the benefit of living in a Country like Australia.
Personally i dont think that we should have to lower our standards of living because the worlds richest men who live in the shadows can pull a few extra trillion bucks.
Sadly though its the way of the modern world and short of some sort of revolution unlikely to change. We at Qantas just have to accept the reality and not actaully have to like it. But to survive and maintain at least job security we have to be competetive..