Qantas stands firm on Fiji dispute
Qantas will to continue to fly to destinations that the Australian government has no issue with as the row over the possible disruption to Fiji flights escalated.
Air Pacific yesterday succeeded in securing an injunction against the Australian Transport Workers Union which was pursuing possible industrial action in support of colleagues in Fiji.
The TWU claimed the Fijian Government wants to “smash the basic human right of getting a fair wage for employees and their families”.
Asked about the situation at the Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit in Sydney, Joyce said: “We continue to operate to markets around the world by licence from the Australian Government and if the Australian Government doesn’t have any issues with that market and the issues with operation of Jetstar into that market then we will continue to operate there.”
He added that Jetstar, which operators to the Pacific island, employs very few staff in Fiji while Qantas has no management control and plays no role in the day to day operations of Fiji flag carrier, Air Pacific, in which it holds a 46% stake.
He added that it was “interesting” that no matter what issues there are around the world “Qantas seems to get the blame”.
Air Pacific said yesterday it secured an injunction to prevent any industrial action, saying statements made by the TWU “not only threatened harm to Air Pacific but the Fijian economy and the people of Fiji of which 45,000 are employed in the tourism and hospitality industry”.
Lawyers acting for the carrier have also written to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, which backed the TWU call, warning that any action would be illegal.
Qantas stands firm on Fiji dispute | Travel Weekly
For those interested the FWA Order link is below
PR512294