chockchucker
30th Jul 2006, 23:03
1000 Qantas jobs under threat
Email Print Normal font Large font Scott Rochfort
July 31, 2006
NERVOUSNESS among the 1000 Qantas maintenance staff in Melbourne is growing, with one union fearing the national carrier has already decided to close its Boeing 737 heavy repair base in Tullamarine.
Even though Qantas has not yet announced the results of the six-month review of its narrow-body aircraft engineering operations, the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association fears the airline may have made up its mind to shut the Tullamarine base weeks ago.
"We have grave concerns that the decision has already been made," said ALAEA federal secretary Steve Purvinas.
Qantas, however, has flatly rejected these claims. "No decision has been made," said Qantas's head of engineering and maintenance, David Cox.
"We expect to finalise the review in September," he said.
Yet this has not dispelled suspicions Qantas held off closing the Melbourne base when it announced the closure of its Sydney heavy maintenance base in March - and 340 jobs were lost - for fear of triggering a major revolt from its staff and unions.
The ALAEA has also warned any closure of the Tullamarine base will be in the face of the huge productivity gains made at the facility in recent times.
Over the past 18 months, the union claims, the average number of days to conduct a once-in-five year "D" check on a 737 at the facility has been reduced from 35 to 23 days. It also argues the facility was under budget last year.
"We don't know anywhere that does it quicker and anywhere does it safer than the Tulla facility," Mr Purvinas said.
Despite Qantas's claims the cost of its facilities are 15 to 20 per cent above the cost of doing maintenance work overseas, Mr Purvinas said Tullamarine was just as efficient as any other facility in the world.
The Australian Manufacturing and Workers Union, which has 300 members at the Tullamarine maintenance base, is expected to push Qantas for some feedback on the review of its engineering operations this week.
AMWU assistant national secretary Glenn Thompson has warned that Qantas should consult unions and its workers before making any decision.
"We're not going to cop a situation like Sydney," Mr Thompson said, referring to the way the airline announced the closure of its 747 repair base without talking to unions first.
Tensions between the AMWU and Qantas are also expected to rise this month with the two yet to make any inroads in negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
There are fears Qantas could ultimately send all of its heavy maintenance work overseas.
.............Of course the decision was made months ago. I wouldn't trust D. Cox as far as I could throw him. Looks like there is going to be a real glut of engineers on the market again, all clamoring for jobs. All those poor ex-Ansett guys probably thought they were safe after getting a guernsey at Qantas. Think again. Looks like the management that shafted you before are going to do it to you all over again.:(
Email Print Normal font Large font Scott Rochfort
July 31, 2006
NERVOUSNESS among the 1000 Qantas maintenance staff in Melbourne is growing, with one union fearing the national carrier has already decided to close its Boeing 737 heavy repair base in Tullamarine.
Even though Qantas has not yet announced the results of the six-month review of its narrow-body aircraft engineering operations, the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association fears the airline may have made up its mind to shut the Tullamarine base weeks ago.
"We have grave concerns that the decision has already been made," said ALAEA federal secretary Steve Purvinas.
Qantas, however, has flatly rejected these claims. "No decision has been made," said Qantas's head of engineering and maintenance, David Cox.
"We expect to finalise the review in September," he said.
Yet this has not dispelled suspicions Qantas held off closing the Melbourne base when it announced the closure of its Sydney heavy maintenance base in March - and 340 jobs were lost - for fear of triggering a major revolt from its staff and unions.
The ALAEA has also warned any closure of the Tullamarine base will be in the face of the huge productivity gains made at the facility in recent times.
Over the past 18 months, the union claims, the average number of days to conduct a once-in-five year "D" check on a 737 at the facility has been reduced from 35 to 23 days. It also argues the facility was under budget last year.
"We don't know anywhere that does it quicker and anywhere does it safer than the Tulla facility," Mr Purvinas said.
Despite Qantas's claims the cost of its facilities are 15 to 20 per cent above the cost of doing maintenance work overseas, Mr Purvinas said Tullamarine was just as efficient as any other facility in the world.
The Australian Manufacturing and Workers Union, which has 300 members at the Tullamarine maintenance base, is expected to push Qantas for some feedback on the review of its engineering operations this week.
AMWU assistant national secretary Glenn Thompson has warned that Qantas should consult unions and its workers before making any decision.
"We're not going to cop a situation like Sydney," Mr Thompson said, referring to the way the airline announced the closure of its 747 repair base without talking to unions first.
Tensions between the AMWU and Qantas are also expected to rise this month with the two yet to make any inroads in negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
There are fears Qantas could ultimately send all of its heavy maintenance work overseas.
.............Of course the decision was made months ago. I wouldn't trust D. Cox as far as I could throw him. Looks like there is going to be a real glut of engineers on the market again, all clamoring for jobs. All those poor ex-Ansett guys probably thought they were safe after getting a guernsey at Qantas. Think again. Looks like the management that shafted you before are going to do it to you all over again.:(