How the drama unfolded when Alan Joyce announced the grounding of Qantas | Perth Now
QANTAS CEO Alan Joyce telegraphed his snap decision to ground the airline at 2pm when he phoned federal ministers Chris Evans, Martin Ferguson and Anthony Albanese. His attempts to reach Prime Minister Julia Gillard failed because she was locked in the CHOGM leaders' retreat in Perth with world leaders, including British Prime Minister David Cameron.
A senior Qantas source said Mr Joyce indicated the seriousness of the proposed action to the ministers and asked them to pass on the message to Ms Gillard.
Joyce told the ministers he was aware that the proposed move was "unfortunate" but that it was the only legal course of action that Qantas could take under the provisions of the Fair Work Act.
Mr Joyce expected the Government to immediately intervene to prevent the grounding of all aircraft. But they didn't.
Mr Joyce announced at 5pm that he was grounding all aircraft immediately.
They still use Telegraph?
Did it go further than expected, ie He thought the government would step in to prevent the grounding?