Qantas talking utter crap: union
By Peter Veness
April 16, 2007 06:26pm
A FRESH row has erupted between Qantas and staff with the long-haul flight attendants' union declaring the airline full of "utter crap".
Qantas executive John Borghetti today issued a statement attacking the Flight Attendants' Association of Australia (FAAA) international division chief Michael Mijatov for criticising the airline's system for hiring casual short-haul cabin crew.
"
I am surprised to see Michael Mijatov from the long-haul FAAA criticising the very arrangements agreed to by his union," Mr Borghetti said.
But Mr Mijatov bit back.
"It's utter crap," he said.
"I'm not criticising the short-haul agreement.
"We would be prepared to discuss casual employment here as well."
The comments from Qantas are likely to drive a further wedge between the domestic and international arms of the union which see each other as separate entities.
Mr Borghetti was forced to defend Qantas' hiring system after Fairfax reported that a former union boss was now making money hiring casual flight attendants for the airline.
All potential recruits are required to pay a $49 money order to Maurice Alexander Management when they apply for work.
Mr Borghetti said the arrangement was "in line with standard industry practice".
The $49 charge at the first interview was for a background security check while other charges, such as a medical, were standard across the industry.
He said casual short-haul cabin crew were paid higher wages in lieu of sick leave, annual leave and long-service leave.
Qantas flies about 2500 short-haul flights every week and Mr Borghetti said flexibility was essential.
"To do this efficiently requires considerable flexibility, which is why we have agreements in place with both FAAA divisions with regard to overseas bases, casual flight attendants and shared short-haul and long-haul flying," he said.
However, Mr Mijatov said he was worried Qantas would roll out similar recruitment processes across the group.
"Qantas has made 400 of our members redundant barely four months ago," Mr Mijatov said.
SOURCE :http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...005961,00.html