Looks like things in Perth may be about to come to a head for the LAME's. I wish them all the best but, despite the union's best intentions, they should tread carefully here if the following article is to be believed.
ABC Online
Qantas takes legal action against aircraft engineer union. 22/03/2007. ABC News Online
[This is the print version of story
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems.../s1879224.htm]
Last Update: Thursday, March 22, 2007. 9:05pm (AEDT)
Qantas takes legal action against aircraft engineer union
Qantas is taking legal action against the union representing flight engineers at Perth airport in a dispute over safe working conditions.
Qantas says the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association is acting illegally by telling its 80 Perth members to work in pairs rather than alone.
The association says it took the action because a change in roster has caused a shortage of engineers on each shift, leaving no one to answer emergency calls if there is an accident on the tarmac.
The Association's federal secretary, Stephen Purvinas, says the safety of its members is at risk.
"Quite often we see broken legs and so on, if someone slips over, we really need that emergency channel there in case one of our members is in that situation," he said.
The two parties will appear at the Federal Industrial Relations Commission tomorrow.