Whilst on the face of it, good news I suspect this rumoured backdown is not all it seems. We await confirmation officially from the Unions
Given BB's adamance that there would be no backdown it now seems possible that he has been over-ruled by AJ under the advice of Oldmeadow who has the wider Qantas Group IR agenda to think of and protect.
Oldmeadow will see this as an opportunity to undermine the unity that is growing amongst the airline workers, particularly in the Qantas Group. There is enough bad feeling between QF and Jetstar Pilots which seems in recent times to have been set aside to a great extent in pursuit of common interests. We must not allow Oldmeadow to re-invigorate the rift between the pilot groupsand unions by allowing QF pilots to see the Jetstar guys approaching this on the basis of self interest again.
This issue is an industry issue that needs to be put to bed once and for all!!
Divide and Conquor only works if you can divide!!!
The Qantas Group do not want this thing going to the Federal court as a finding against any of the constituent airlines will thwart the wider Group's ongoing business strategy. Unity is still needed as this issue goes beyond Jetstar and the pilots. A finding in court against an of the group airlines will impact on the way that Jetstar have been employing Cabin Crew also and will spill into the QF Job security issue that Pilots and Engineering 'contractors' should be paid the same as employees!!
There is no room for back room deals - this thing must progress to the courtroom!!!
More to Follow
The Kelpie
Last edited by The Kelpie; 22nd May 2011 at 09:36.