Latest Notice
QP: 06412008
16 June 2008
TO: ALAEA MEMBERS - QANTAS and FORSTAFF
RE: EBA UPDATE 16JUNE
Notification to Qantas
Today the ALAEA sent notification to Qantas to clarify our continued plans for work
stoppages as part of the Protected Action authorised in May 2008. Members will note that
in most cases the work stoppages have been split with roughly half the membership
remaining at work during the PIA period. After the last round of stoppages we had a
number of maintenance mishaps reported from the period that managers were working as
LAMEs such as:
Aircraft released with open defects
Defects deferred to ONS without MEL's applied
Direct LA flights with engine oils incorrectly checked
Aircraft pushbacks commenced with chocks in place
Bay changes without gear pins fitted
The ALAEA understands that our actions should not lead to a reduction in safety either
directly or indirectly. As such we have concerns that the use of managers who are not
employed as LAMEs to do our jobs is a reduction in safety. We would rather do the
responsible thing and leave a reduced but fully qualified team of aviation professionals on
deck to carry out their normal duties.
Members Being Targeted
Today's notification also contains instruction for Sydney Domestic LAMEs to return from
Sydney International to their own section if they are acting in DMM positions. This action
is being taken as it has been reported that SIT members are being punished and taken out of
Acting positions as a punitive measure for in the words of one member "because he didn't
get the qfxxx out before curfew last night". If our members are being targeted in this way
we will not allow this to happen by positioning LAMEs from other areas in the section.
STEPHEN PURVINAS
Federal Secretary
"To undertake supervise and certify for the safety of all who fly. "