AIPA, unless you can quickly and comprehensively counter this sort of management
PR spin, you have lost your battle for public opinion.
Qantas management is painting you as a bunch of stuck up, overpaid, Prima Donnas as this article in the Herald Sun demonstrates rather well.
You must counter this, not "explain" it!
Bear in mind that the average person reads just the first few paragraphs and then switches off.
If you strike with public opinion against you, the Government will most definitely not side with you because they won't want to see their poll numbers dragged down. For all we know, Tony Abbott could make a pilot strike into a cause celebre and bring down the Gillard Government.
You must get your message out! Have you not hired a
professional spin doctor? Don't try and do it yourself!
A source close to negotiations told the Herald Sun that the pilots' negotiating body - the Australian & International Pilots Association - demanded two free international trips every year for its members in premium economy, with priority given for upgrades to business and first class tickets.
This could cost Qantas $15 million a year.
They also want discounted Qantas Club memberships for family members and increased penalty rates for flying different types of aircraft.
But in perhaps their most audacious demand, pilots also want the opportunity to determine who travels.
In the proposed AIPA agreement handed to Qantas, it was demanded that the "pilot in command shall, in consultation with the CSM (customer service manager), have the ability to allocate one curtained economy class seat at his/her sole discretion".
The bid is said to have angered Qantas, with CEO Alan Joyce yesterday admitting the company's international business - which employs the 1700 pilots - is losing money.
The Herald Sun believes that if the proposed new penalties are paid, some pilots will earn up to $500,000 a yea
Qantas pilots bid for first class deal | Herald Sun