Bit away from thread but it seems Cab Sav's starting to question FAAA's position.
Extract from letter written by FAAA to all cabin crew.
"Attention all Long Haul Cabin Crew
ME TOO - WHY AREN'T WE OUT ON THE GRASS?
Following the well-attended series of membership meetings, many members have asked regarding the support cabin crew and the FAAA can give to the industrial campaigns of AIPA, the LAMEs and the TWU in relation to their disputes with Qantas. The support you and the FAAA can give is extremely limited.
As mentioned briefly in our newsletter regarding the PAs supporting AIPA's campaign, significant penalties can be inflicted on individual employees and unions that support the industrial campaigns of other unions or employees. These penalties are generally known as "secondary boycotts" and largely prohibit a party not involved directly in an industrial dispute from taking any action in support of another group of employees against their employer.
An employer that is affected by the actions of individuals or another union conducting secondary boycotts can seek an urgent injunction to stop the conduct in the Federal Court. Damages can be awarded by the Federal Court and the employer also has the ability to sue for damages to cover any losses it has suffered.
Damages can also be awarded against individuals and unions that take industrial action outside of the framework of protected action under the Fair Work Act. Qantas was not shy in seeking damages against the TWU when it took unprotected action in 2009. The Federal Court awarded in excess of $700,000 in favour of Qantas against the TWU when the TWU took wildcat strike action at four airports for four hours.
You also need to be aware that comments posted on social networking sites and in emails should be written as if you are addressing your manager at Qantas. Social networking sites are never "private" and emails are often forwarded to individuals they were never intended to be sent to. As an employee, your primary duty is to your employer, not supporting an industrial campaign you are sympathetic with but does not directly affect you.
The FAAA believes that our membership deserves focus on its direct interests, in particular negotiations for the next long haul cabin crew EBA. This is why we sought a five year EBA (the longest possible term) following the last series of EBA negotiations. This is why we met with Alan Joyce regarding the future of the International Division. This is why we have requested that negotiations for the next EBA start early in November to prepare to advance the interests of our members early for the difficulties facing Qantas' international division.
The long term interests of our members are best served by addressing our immediate and future terms and conditions. Cabin crew have experienced more dramatic outsourcing of our work than any other group of Qantas employees. Our long term survival will be addressed by ourselves and no one else in the Qantas group."
Last edited by Dixons Millions; 5th Oct 2011 at 11:06.