For the sake of discussion, let's assume for a moment that FGD135's assertion is correct, i.e. the only way Qantas can remain viable is to reduce wages. There are still two stumbling blocks.
Firstly, the executives are not offering to take a pay cut. They have never offered to take a pay cut and they are not even hinting at it now, despite being well rewarded by both Aussie and aviation standards. This just makes everyone smell a very large rat whenever they start up with the 'we can't afford to pay' rhetoric, particularly when the share price has gone bungee jumping. If the company's in such a terrible state that they have to cut wages, wtf are the exec getting paid so well?
Secondly, there have been numerous posts on here and stories in real life about how Qantas management has repeatedly reneged on handshake deals. This has resulted in Qantas staff (not just pilots, either) automatically disbelieving everything management says. If management were untrustworthy then, why would they be any different now? They have demonstrated a complete lack of integrity in the past, which fuels further suspicion that the whole thing is crap. I get the feeling that AJ could make a media announcement that the sky is blue and the majority of Qantas frontline workers would all chorus 'bull!!!!e'. This is not normal for a company. People who've been with Qantas a long time may feel it's normal, but it isn't. Most people have at least a grudging respect for their employer and vice versa.
In this way, even if the argument were correct and management were actually being honest and up front for a change, there is no way the average Qantas employee or interested bystander is going to believe them. Once bitten and all that, which is why smart companies aim to retain at least a degree of integrity with their staff. Come belt tightening time, it's a lot easier to sell the 'lean times' argument to the serfs if they don't automatically assume you and your team are incapable of telling the truth based on previous behaviour, and they aren't looking askance at your own massive salaries.
Last edited by Worrals in the wilds; 11th June 2011 at 07:00.