Clarity
Let's take a minute to set a few things straight. Firstly this is about the bottom line, saving dollars, $42 million to be precise, not what's best for the workforce, 'M' is only interested in a 10.9 hour shift in Perth, as this will eliminate the rostered overtime payment, reduce shift penalties by 8% and remove the flexible 'Z' day. Although a working group was agreed upon to develop alternate rosters and in fact presented a superior 12 hour shift, that delivered on cost savings, manpower requirements and license coverage, this has been rejected outright by 'M', citing a lame excuse about fatigue scores which has since been disproved, hence, and I quote "I've gone too far down the 10.9 path now to turn back", in other words, making promises to DC that he just can't keep. Even then 'M' was able to keep his poker face when telling the AIRC that extended rosters where off the table in Perth, not minutes after offering the 10.9 olive branch to Union delegates! So with 'M' desperatly trying not to back peddle and save face with the board, a local manager whom finds it impossible to be civil to, let alone be constructive with his workforce, Perth has reached a stalemate.
Which eludes to the question, why would 'M' want to make an example of Perth? After all, 12 months ago, all the other ACS Line Stations were being asked why they couldn't operate in the same manner. Domestic and International Operations combined, LAME's carring out the work of storemen and ground equipment mechanics at night, no demarcation between trades, a positive 'can do attitude'....... why put all this at risk? The reason is simple, this is NOT about just Perth.... Brisbane, Adelaide (don't think you'll keep your 4x5), Sydney and Melbourne you're next!!! Perth is the smallest and remotest port, a classic case of Qantas divide and conquer. Who cares when Perth LAME's are forced to work a soul destroying, morale sapping, fatigue inducing, unrewarding 8 hour shift........not the four gentlemen from Sydney, two from Brisbane or our friend from Darwin, who jet in to "make things happen" (or in the case of the 767 fuel pump change, totally f**k it up!). After all, the LAME's didn't even flinch when a whole Maintenence division was shutdown in Sydney, who'll worry about that lot all the way over there in the west, well you will!!! This truly is the thin end of M's preverbial wedge which reaches australia wide but again, as in his own words "I'll keep driving the machine until it breaks" he's only doing as he promised. Unfortunatly for the whole of ACS Engineering, that machine is still trundling along, thanks in no small way to the professionalism of Perth LAMEs. There is also the matter of a couple DMM's and DMM wannabees who have been tirelessly carrying out the duties of Supervisor, Leading Hand, certifying LAME and outstation hero, not to mention the much debated first point of contact in an emergency (difficult when you yourself are pushing back an aircraft, mobile phone, intrinsicly safe radio or not). Which by the way, the Airport Emergency Services refused to do. Whilst all the time feeling quite fatigued due to the copious amounts of overtime they've been forced to work......obviously the money has nothing to do with it! This of course could all end in the AIRC later this month, when the DMMs may be instructed to join their 'workmates' on the 8 hour roster........enjoy!
In their defence, the DMM's were all served notice from Qantas IR, that any deviation from their 12 hour, 4 on 4 off roster would constitute a breach of the work place relations act, for which they would be held accountable, fancy being forced to have four days off(better do some O/T)!!!!
All in all, this situation has descended into a farce, although, I can steadfastly say that Perth LAME's will NOT be caving in to the 10.9 and will remain committed, with or without the total support our 'brothers' around the country. For those of you who can see through the smoke and have knocked back the lure of a weekend in the west, thanks.
As for 'M', if your new contract depends on you delivering on your $42 million promise, I guess LAMEs in Perth will be working a Qantas 8 hour shift for a lot longer than you will be!
One last point, blue collar or white collar, you're only going to be treated in one way by this company unless you're management and that is as the number they assigned you when you joined!