Qantas Sacking Tarmac Engineers

[The masked goatrider]

That airline we all love have just started sacking Line Maintenance LAMEs. I know when I go into work this arvo I won't be giving them any assistance at all. If I commence an overnight check on a plane with 5 hold items. I guarantee you by the time I finish, it will have 10.

My D check eyes are well and truly ready.

[chockchucker]

Any word on where they have started the cull? And if so, how many?

Any chance people are being terminated by courier at their own home?


Report in today's press; Qantas sheds 167 engineering jobs | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/aap/article-2684045/Qantas-sheds-167-engineering-jobs.html)


Good luck to all those who are below the magic line.


If people are being terminated today, fear not. Their is life after Qantas.


That said, sad to see things come to this.


A bit more detail from Sky News; http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2014/07/08/qantas-sheds-167-engineering-jobs.html

[Bootstrap1]

Can anyone confirm numbers and from what section. The news items are just a rehash of the standard QF news release.

[NSEU]

Not a rehash.... Some guys here at SIO were tapped a few hours ago and after going through the usual Duty of Care cr*p, were escorted to the gate.

Tears were shed.

[chockchucker]

...two LAMES in MEL tapped this morning. More to follow....,

[Ngineer]

the usual Duty of Care

I think there is a CASA audit happening at the same time.

[004wercras]

I think there is a CASA audit happening at the same time.
Sadly that means jack****. Fort Fumble and the Roo have always had an 'amicable' relationship, what could CAsA possibly do apart from issue NCN's for a Gingerbeers shirt being untucked, or perhaps a tool that has passed its calibration test date by 6 minutes, or maybe they will find the page of a QRH in the flight deck with a coffee stain on the corner of the page??

I feel very very sorry for the Gingerbeers that are being axed. More skill, experience and a knowledgeable part of the Rats fabric walked out the door within the blink of an eyelid. Joyce you really are a fool.

Tick Tock

[The Mr Fixit]

I am an Army of One.

[chockchucker]

The latest from Texas Tony.......

You may have heard this morning that Supply Chain have today let their people know that there will be some changes to the business resulting from fleet retirements and a reduced workload.

This morning, our Ops and Port Managers have also started talking to LAMEs who are potentially redundant as a result of the changes in demand brought about by the continued fleet reductions and changes we needed to make in Line Maintenance.

While we were able to mitigate 102 of the 175 positions, which were initially identified as potentially surplus, unfortunately we have not been able to fully avoid compulsory redundancies. There are still options available for redeployment into Perth and Brisbane and I encourage those who are now being notified to consider these opportunities very thoroughly.

We are now moving through a one-on-one process to explain the criteria used in the decision and the options available. Those Employees who have been notified will be cared for in this time of transition and will enter a structured 4 week programme and invited to attend workshops and career sessions to help them fully adjust to their circumstances and so explore their options and make an informed decision on their next steps. Notification to affected employees will continue over the next few days while we cover all shifts.

Today also brings an end to the forced leave program we have been running to deal temporarily with the previous overcapacity in Sydney Line Maintenance. A forced leave program comes at a significant cost to the business and as we don’t anticipate an increase in maintenance requirements into the future, it is simply not a viable alternative to redundancies.

For the majority of LAMEs in LMO, our notifications will allow you to move forward with certainty. We are still consulting with the Alliance unions on the AME impact of these changes and I hope we will be in a position to let them know the outcome of that process shortly.

I know this has been a difficult and unsettling time for all. Don’t forget, the Employee Assistance Program is available to you and your family. It’s confidential, free and runs on a 24 hour basis by calling 1300 360 364.

The professionalism you have demonstrated through this entire process has been exemplary.

I know I can continue to count on you all to keep our operation running safely and on time, and I know Qantas can count on you to help it through this difficult period.

Be Safe,
Tony

[chockchucker]

And Nastyswine breaks his silence.......


Following more than four months of consultation and meetings with unions and employees, this morning our Line Maintenance managers have started notifying LAMEs who are potentially redundant as a result of the full implementation of the changes we announced in February.

We were able to significantly reduce the number of LAMEs who have been adversely affected from 175 to 73 by offering voluntary redundancies and redeployment to other roles. Those notified from today will still have the opportunity to apply for vacant roles in Brisbane and Perth.

Today we have also advised the Supply Chain and Component Maintenance teams that we will also be making changes to those areas as a result of workload decline.

Since February we have been working through a review of all of our support areas to meet the reduced needs of the business. As our operational areas reduce we also need to right size the areas that support the operation and ensure we are operating as efficiently and effectively as we can. Your managers will be keeping you fully informed of any changes required in your area.

As always, our commitment and our focus will be on helping everyone affected by these changes, offering them all the support they need to consider their choices and readying them for the next steps in their career where needed.

Please talk to your manager if you need any assistance or have any questions. Please look out for each other and stay safe.

Chris

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

These managers will say anything. They told us during consultation that a leave burn program is cost neutral.


Putting out a notice that it costs the company a significant amount of money as simply a bare faced lie.

[Troo believer]

As a Pilot and fellow employee my heart goes out to you guys. I hope that those of you affected find greener pastures. Thanks for keeping us safe and of course for your professionalism and good humour. So sorry to see you go. The place sucks right now.

[V-Jet]

For the majority of LAMEs in LMO, our notifications will allow you to move forward with certainty.

That, surely, would be the greatest work of fiction since vows of fidelity were introduced into French wedding ceremonies...

^^^^^ What TB said.

[rockarpee]

And the facts are that only TWO characters need to go:( sad, sad, times indeed.

[chockchucker]

At least three off-duty B2 LAMES in Melbourne contacted by HR this afternoon to arrange meeting with port manager to "discuss selection criteria" in the next day or two.


Sounds like all notifications being undertaken today.


On the upside, if you haven't been contacted by now, you're probably safe.

[Blerter93]

Ultimately I don't think anyone is safe in QF Eng, or any other section for that matter. AJ is determined to ride the rat into the ground and damn what anyone says. Everyone else in management refuse to acknowledge that the emperor has no clothes.
More than ever the guys and girls in Eng have to stick together - regardless of trade.

[bandit2]

Thoughts go out to all those caught up in this mess. I hope karma comes to those responsible. Good luck ALAEA. Keep those bastards honest!

[opalops]

Thanks Troo Believer

[Gas Bags]

Best of luck to all those caught up unwillingly in this. I went through similar in a previous AN life and it is not much fun. I would just like to say that once you get through the other end of the pain, and if you can maintain a positive attitude, there is a great life outside with many, many, opportunities if you choose to pick them up.

[Syd eng]

Best of luck to those affected by this I am now happy that I left on my terms and hopefully allowed someone who could not or did not want to leave to stay.

Another sad day for the aviation industry in this country.:\

Former Syd Eng.

[p.j.m]

That airline we all love have just started sacking Line Maintenance LAMEs.

Great, they have aircraft failing right left and centre, so what do they do? Sack more engineers.

Maybe they have employed some plumbers and PR bimbos to compensate for all the aircraft failures.

[NSEU]

Best of luck to all those caught up unwillingly in this. I went through similar in a previous AN life and it is not much fun.

Unfortunately, some ex-AN LAMEs who found employment in QF are now being sacked again. Some are being very stoic about it, but we are still appalled by the unfair (and unfeeling) selection process.

I volunteered to go, but this will only save one of my mates.

[QF22]

Let em fail.
Army of one !

[Goddamnslacker]

Today at 1100 4 SIT Engineers, 7 SDO Engineers and 2 Base Engineers, all LAME's...more number cutting this arvo and over the next few days, plus 35 SIT LAME's to relocate to Base..

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

They are already calling people to work overtime to cover the shifts vacated by those they have sacked.

[QF22]

And according to SP on fb management is calling LAMEs at home tonight to come in for OT to cover manpower short falls !
Go figure ?
Geniouses at QF
Tell em they are dreaming !
GLTA !

[chockchucker]

One can only hope that given current events, the guys that are left are not tripping over themselves to do that overtime.

Sadly, I have a feeling that basic instinct will kick in for certain people and the overtime will indeed get worked. And qantas will be bailed out of another pile of **** of their own making.

[The masked goatrider]

Give it a few days and there will be nobody in Melbourne willing to work overtime. Why would you when you know that Nasty and Texan Tony will just implement another round if they can make this current mess work?

[JETTRONIC]

The gun is now pointing at me and the gun is cocked and loaded.....what do you do. Never been in this situation any advise is appreciated.

[LAME2]

Sometimes life deals you a crap hand. You can either fold or get on with it as best you can. Your future direction and achievements are in your hands.

Best of luck to all involved. I can say there are good jobs paying good money post QF.

[Goddamnslacker]

Your Kidding..anyone doing overtime just shows how much the dont give a damn about there fellow workers and are so self centred on themselves...
They decide to cut numbers, then they must know it will work with the reduced numbers....NO OVERTIME AUSTRALIA WIDE!!!!

[blubak]

Goddamnslacker-you are 100% right,even more so now considering the emotional stress caused by this ruthlessa act,we all need to use every minute of every hour off to care for ourselves & the 1st way of doing this is to stay away from a place where hatred reigns & starts right at the top,
they really must have such a high opinion of themselves to tell us they care & to look out for each other.
If i need counselling or assistance,the last place i will be going is to their EAP,you can bet your bottom dollar it is not as anonymous as they like you to believe,anyone that needs assistance should be seeking it from their own doctor or medical professional,not all that long ago we were so proud to work for this company-it has now come to the point of close to being ashamed to tell outsiders who we work for,so SAD for all of us.
There is an old saying 'what goes around comes around' & for me it has merit & for people who perform ruthless acts i would certainly keep that saying in mind.

[Short_Circuit]

EAP was a waste of time for me. they took 2 months to set up exactly nothing, I was stuffed around again and again, same old circus! Had to take control and see my own shrink to just get over EAP! The buggery is over for me but will continue until you are all gone. I too stepped aside to save another in a less fortunate position. It was a wonderful time there with all you guys but Dixon, Joyce, Clifford and Cox has ran it into the deck. Safety before schedule died 10 years ago for them.
My commiserations to anyone tapped this time round, it is an evil thing they do..

[astroboy111]

Sounds like a pretty toxic environment.. I don't understand why so many of the guys didn't take a package and run. It's not that bad out in the 'real' world!
Try chatting to the guys that did take VR in the last 12 months, I doubt you'd find any that regret their decision.

[busdriver007]

Seems as though Qantas is going down the same path as America West Airlines and driving toward the lowest acceptable standard. Straight out of the Richard Goodmanson playbook, responsible for a record $5 million fine enforced by the FAA in 1998 when he was the Chairman and CEO there!:D

[skiinoz]

Dry your eyes guys, did you really think that running a massively loss making entity, using over paid, over the hill and overstaffed engineering was going to last forever. Forgive me if I seem unsypathetic, but the sense of entitlement baffles me. The blame is always someone else's, although I haven't worked directly for Qantas, I know plenty who have, who all agree what an outdated, bloated, unefficient operation the engineering department now is. The reputation of ex quantas LAME's is really not good, no matter how much you all seem to think you invented A/C maintenance. Welcome to the real world, and leave the attitude behind when you get to your next gig..

[Australopithecus]

The last time I flew TWA they offered me TWA coffee. I really wanted TWA tea. Then you came along.

[Ngineer]

That's the first time I've laughed in a while Austrlopithecus. Like button.

[skiinoz]

Tut tut, remember what I said about the attitude.

[bandit2]

So Skiinoz, I'll bite. I did notice you spelt Qantas with a "u" before you edited your post. Obviously your a yank, looking from afar. :D

[CoolB1Banana]

Go f#ck yourself skiinoz. Rest assured there will still be plenty of blokes at QF on a better wage than you will ever see.

[V-Jet]

Ignore it guys. Forgive then their sins for they know not what they comment about.

Those that do offer their total and absolute support.

[Ngineer]

V-jet you are right. It is a great shame to see this attitude in our industry. Obviously a poor fella carrying baggage from an unhappy past.

[empire4]

If you're honest with yourself, you will realise that QF engineers in Australia were the best trained, and had the highest standard in following operational procedures. They may not have been the most diversified in a lot of areas, or may not be the best trouble shooters. But, when all said and done they follow the rules of certification and procedures more than most other Australian LAMEs.

That said, times have changed and so have the T & C's that we all must operate under. Its well known VA guys get paid really great money for 1 type, in most cases a lot more than their QF equivalent. However QF has a lot about 40% more staff per hull, and that cannot be sustained no matter which way you look at it.

It's a crying shame people lose their jobs, but its a fact of life. Good luck.

[emergency000]

Thankfully I departed Q at the end of my apprenticeship. It'll be sad to hear of former colleagues getting "the tap". But as others have said, there is life after Qantas. God speed gentlemen and I'll hope to see many of you around the traps over the coming years. :ok:
Cheers

[chockchucker]

What may have made things easier would be if the selection process was transparent.

It is becoming abundantly clear that individuals are being retained that could not possibly have out scored others who are being tapped in the published selection criteria. They who are being tapped are not allowed to see how they have been scored against their peers and why.


The whole process smells. Particularly evident is the over representation of ex-Ansett people in the numbers of the newly redundant. Particularly in Melbourne.


I'm sure any appeals will be summarily dismissed by Qantas. All incriminating evidence protected in the name of commercial-in-confidence or privacy.


Hope those other individuals hanging out for "just one more year" whilst watching those with young kids to feed and mortgages to pay who are having their livelihoods torn apart can sleep well at night....

[DirectAnywhere]

JETTRONIC,

The gun is now pointing at me and the gun is cocked and loaded.....what do you do. Never been in this situation any advise is appreciated.


I've got no advice on finding a job or anything like that. What I can say is make sure you communicate openly with your wife/partner. They thrive on this sort of stuff and, if you've got a good one, are worth their weight in gold.

Secondly, try and find something that allows you to engage with your community. Volunteer work in some way, shape or form won't pay the bills but it will massively increase your own sense of self-worth and wellbeing at a time those two things are sure to take a beating. Find something to make you feel good about yourself because the company doesn't give a rat's how you feel.

Get angry but don't let it dominate your life. Try and emotionally disconnect from the company as quickly as possible. It's not worth sinking any more energy in to than is the minimum required. Don't engage with the petty day-to-day BS. Do the job (for as long as you have one), go home.

Hard physical exercise is better than a beer for your state of mind.

Find time and space for yourself when you need it but make sure you tell people why you need it. At the same time, don't neglect your relationships in all of this as they will be the things left standing at the end of it all.

Best of luck. I haven't been made redundant before but have spent several years watching my dream career slide down the toilet and those are the things that have helped me during the stressful periods. The job doesn't define who you are. For some at QF it does but most of those blokes are dicks. Don't be one of those blokes.

All the very best. Chin up tiger.

[Alien Role]

When Ansett was destroyed, for some time I struggled with the reality of my situation until my Daughter bought me a "motivational" book called "WHO STOLE MY CHEESE"
It is a lighthearted story about 3 mice who have had their cheese taken away from them and how they coped with the consequences.
For those made redundant the "cheese" was your job - number 3 mouse thought , to hell with those b......s who have stolen my cheese, and immediately went on the road looking for better, tastier cheese......and never looked back !!
May I suggest you read that book.
Please don't forget that your Family and Friends are feeling your pain also, so confide in them and accept comfort from them; do not isolate yourself.


I found my CHEESE !
Thank you to you fantastic Professionals who wave me off, comfortable in the knowledge that you have given me a good machine.


Role on.....

[ohallen]

Transparency is important to you guys but at the end of the day it is the Execs sandpit and they get to choose who plays, so what may have been a better process for everyone was decisions and fast implementation and let everyone get one with their lives. Consultation processes on numbers are important but suggest they may actually make the process harder for the individuals because they leave an unanswered question...why me.

I have been made redundant from another industry and sure anger plays a part, but at the end of the day it is how you respond that defines your life. Once you get past the financial issues there are heaps of opportunities that you have to create yourself. In my case I decided what I was passionate about (and it wasn't corporate life after all) and just went for it, went back to Uni and found a way for volunteer stuff using my skills. Now working for much less $$$$ but love every day, spend more time with my kids and making a difference to others.

The future may not be clear now to some of you, but it is really important to decide what is good for you. Going to work in a toxic environment with a bunch of asshole Execs who don't give a rats may give you $$$ but not much self worth, sometimes you just have to have faith in karma.

Good luck everyone.

[FrogNtoad]

quote : busdriver007 -Straight out of the Richard Goodmanson playbook

This wouldn’t be the same Richard Goodmanson from RioTinto would it ???

LC and he were both board members at the same time – Explains how LC thinks he is an expert at running an airline – being able to converse with a fellow board member on how to run an airline (into the ground) before he aquired the job at QF and bring with him his ANTI-UNION attitude.

[empire4]

Chock chucker…….Why not mention the fact that you seemingly can't get a Virgin Job unless you had Ansett on your resume? It goes both ways you know.

[MelbPilot85]

Some great advice from DirectAnywhere.

The book Alien Role is referring to is "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson MD. Great book for anyone who hasn't read it. I am also tangled up in this big QF mess and it helps a lot. It's a short read, only 30 minutes if you read quickly, and you can feel the weight lifting off as the pages go by. At least I did.

Good luck to everyone staring down the barrel at Qantas, and to those who have already taken the bullet. There is more to life than that **** of a company.

[004wercras]

I would like to see QF hierarchy coated in cheese and fed to 30 000 hungry red rats!! That would f#ck them :ok:
It's only a matter of time until an engine cowl falls off, a serious maintenance overrun makes the news, a serious defect is overlooked or a serious workplace injury occurs. That may wake up the clowns who are at the helm of the sinking ship.

EVERYBODY needs to support this - a 100% overtime ban for just 48 hours! That will shake them to the core. So c'mon guys, orchestrate it soon, out of respect do it, and do it soon.

[Redphantom]

We need a constant o/t ban , not just 48 hours.

[bandit2]

004wercras, hear, hear. Out off our pure mate-ship to the unfortunate ones caught up in this mess. Never forget. You never know when the sights are going to be on your head.

[Goddamnslacker]

No total Overtime Ban not a 48 Hour Ban...if QF Management think they have the correct staff levels then NO OVERTIME at all...
I still cant believe people are working overtime, very self centred....

[004wercras]

A complete overtime ban would be the way to go, however it would never work because there will always be the overtime hogs who need it and will do it regardless. So as much as I would prefer to see that, it would never happen.
However a 48 hour ban is something that even the unloyal engineers could possibly do in support of their mates who have been unfairly dispatched into the ether. The flow on affect with delays, disruptions and the costs involved would hit them where it hurts. And the best thing is that by not working the overtime you aren't breaking any laws, overnight cannot be enforced, those who won't work it have done no wrong.

FWA and the law are a complete ass. Engineers are punted and within 24 hours there are calls for O/T to be done. Joyce and Co you are :mad:
Another flawed plan that won't work! Add it to the list.

[Redphantom]

Why are these guys working O/T now that guys have been given notice ? Do people really have that little respect for the soon to be fallen?

[Gas Bags]

Some sage advice from directanywhere, alien role, ohallen et al. Anger is normal in this situation but if you let it define you, it will only make you a lesser human being. It will most definitely not help your lot in this mess, and the people at the top of your ex company sure as hell don't care about or feel your anger.


Move through that phase as quick as you can and you will be personally much better off, and professionally much more employable.


As good as QF may appear to be, all they really are is simply one company in a huge world out there. With open eyes and the right attitude this will come into focus.

[going postal]

I find it ironic that every time lately that I have been called for O/T I have been unfit for work having just consumed my 2nd beer.. even at 9am.. :p

[CamelSquadron]

While it may seem like a significant event now, you will quickly realise it was only a job. Take the redundancy package and move on quickly with life.

For many a redundancy package is the kick up the butt that they really needed. Most move on to better things.

An employee who has not been made redundant at least once in their career is becoming a rare beast.

[JETTRONIC]

directanywhere.....thanks mate.

[Ngineer]

I heard a rumour that a manager accidentally tapped the wrong employee. Is there any truth behind this?

[Insider Trader]

"Who stole the cheese?" - I believe Peter Russell-Clarke has oft been heard to utter this conundrum.

[bandit2]

Ngineer, No Clifford & Joyce are still there.

[The masked goatrider]

48 hour overtime ban? Are you kidding? What do you think that would achieve, it would be over in 2 days and then they would work out how they could sack the next 200 blokes. If you are going to do something at least do it properly. So what if a few guys here and there don't get it, the vast majority of us do.

[One Eye Redundant]

I have seen a few posts urging guys to use sick leave if they are tapped. In my understanding, this is a complete waste of time as you are given your 12 week notice period immediately (paid). The only way you will ever get any value from your sick leave is to use it before you are tapped. If you feel you are in their sights, I think sick leave due to the stresses caused would be a fantastic option. Let's face it, it's a bit tough to come in to a meeting with management when you are on your sick bed. Most guys have many months of sick leave stored up. Using this should drop the numbers on the shop floor giving management their perfect engineer to aircraft ratio.
Don't all stand by and let them screw you over.

[Redphantom]

To those at SDT that have been working overtime.. Shame on you. You have no respect and more importantly the guys have none for you! I tried to name and shame yesterday but it got deleted , we all know who you are though.

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

Message from a mate from SIT-




How would you be you are at home cause they just retrenched you and you get an sms to call in ASAP for overtime tomorrow if available. We still have to transfer 25+ LAMEs out as well ?. Just got that sms.

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

and the notice of today..






Notice 053/2014 - All Qantas Members - Redundancy Update 11th July 2014


The ALAEA office will be working over this weekend finalizing appeals from members who wish to appeal the compulsory retrenchments approved by Chris Nassenstein and implemented by Tony Lowery. Although it is most likely that the appeals will be rejected by Qantas, just because they think they can, it is essential that the process be undertaken as the matter is now likely to be put before the Federal Court. Please get your details to the office as soon as possible after being tapped as we have limited time to complete the paperwork.


One thing I ask all members to be aware of that emerged through consultation. The 175 LAME redundancies they are trying to implement now was part of the 5000 announced by Alan Joyce in February of this year. From the first meeting we have pressed the airline to elaborate on any further cuts out of the 5000 that may affect our members. They have continually avoided answering this question, only saying that there are 220 projects which are being worked through and that they will advise us when any further decisions have been made as per the terms of the Workplace Determination. In layman’s terms this means that they know very well that they want to sack a bucket load more of our members but won’t be telling us about it until the dust settles after this round.


Manpower Shortages


From Tuesday when the first of the LAMEs were marched off the bases and into the career advisory tent where they were shown how to write resumes, Qantas were seeking others to work overtime in the same departments where the departed vacated. The airline now don’t have enough LAMEs or Engineers to complete the known work it faces and we have already been advised of examples of the company pressuring LAMEs to cut corners to make this flawed system work. During consultation it was clearly demonstrated by us that the shortfall of staff compared to known work included:




No factoring for anyone to take meal breaks within the twelve hour terminal rosters
Allocation of 3.5 hours to 738 check 2’s when Mxi is averaging 8 hours per aircraft
An assumption that all terminal sick leave will be covered on overtime
8 yearly hours of computer based training when the average LAME will require 100 hours to complete it
Factoring of LAMEs covering 20 secondments at any one time when there are 73
No provision for you to take your regular accruing Long Service Leave
Terminal rovers cut by more than a half
No LAMEs being allocated to MOD aircraft until the exact time of push, despite contrary maintenance memos
The system has been designed with labour shortfalls and they will be expecting you to cut corners to make it work. This is essential for managers like Filipetto and Lowery so they can move on to stage two and find more LAMEs to sack. To protect your job we request that you not take any action to assist the company over and above your normal duties. If 50 Qantas planes are parked up against the fence in 4 months time, it is not your fault but theirs and we would rather them sacked than you.


Manpower Tracking

Much of Qantas’ justification for downsizing is based on loose records contained within Mxi and other documents. Qantas are well aware that many of the things we do are not really recorded anywhere. Tasks such as running people around airports, packing up wheels, listening to propaganda from Ops managers, waiting for delayed aircraft or filling out form 500’s for engines that aren’t bolted on correctly.
We cannot express enough that every single thing you do must be recorded accurately, and then the hours you take to record it also needs to be recorded. This is not a short term demand for you to whack a few things in the books as you grieve for a few work mates who are no longer beside you. This is something that you are always required to do by CASA and Qantas procedures.

Working Overtime

We have received many complaints from members about people who have worked overtime in the previous 48 hours.

Reporting Everything

Because Qantas will now be expecting you to do more with less, you will find yourself in situations where the ops managers, who have been employed to pressure you into cutting corners before they replace the DMMs, will be doing all they can to make sure the flawed system works. It is essential now more than ever that any defect, near miss and incident be properly recorded on the mandated documentation such as log books, form 500s and form 2000s. You will be pressured to not record things because these records will demonstrate that what has been implemented degrades air safety. You should continue to report on official paperwork anything out of the ordinary. Some examples being:



An aircraft re-fueller who has commenced refueling without permission and in breach of Qantas policy should be halted immediately until you can establish that the area is safe, and then a form 500 completed.
Any manual procedure that is flawed should be highlighted and then cleared to proceed with formal documentation such as an EA (not verbal advice) from Maintenance Watch/Technical services.
If you require a wing walker, wait for one. If an ops manager comes out and tells you to push the plane, return to the office and fill out a form 2000 for a near miss then return to the aircraft and wait for your wing walker.
A missing screw on a ballast you are changing, a form 500 is needed to highlight that a screw may be loose in the roof area.
If tooling is not the same as stipulated in the maintenance manuals, do not improvise with unapproved tooling.
Do not certify for work that you were not aware was being completed by unlicenced persons if you did not give them the necessary instructions before the job commenced.
If you notice another LAME cutting corners, report them on appropriate forms. We will represent them and in most cases they will find adequate defence in the staffing shortages that are pressuring us to cut corners.
If you need to take 5, take 5. If you are pressured into working this period, report the manager pressuring you.
If a magic carpet needs a reset or any other quick fix or simple test is carried out, write up the work in the log books and enter it into Mxi.

YOUR job depends on proper reporting


We cannot express enough that the current environment is not only about our workmates who have recently been told they are no longer required. This is about you and your future because Qantas have been convinced that things can be done better by turning a blind eye. Qantas was made the safest airline in the world because we did care and the precise manner in which we have always operated should continue on an ongoing basis.
Steve Purvinas
Federal Secretary

[33 Disengage]

I have been contacted 5 times in the past 48 hours to do overtime. Apart from the fact that it would have broken the fatigue policy, it is bordering on harassment.


I would have loved to have been able to help out but I had to take the time to de-fluff my navel.

[p.j.m]

I have been contacted 5 times in the past 48 hours to do overtime.

1) leave work
2) turn off phone

problem solved :)

[SOPS]

How did it ever come to this?

[Arnold E]

1) leave work
2) turn off phone

NO, tell them straight up that you will not do it, grow a backbone.

If you work overtime now, you are a scab, plane and simple.

( is that plain or plane, dont know)

[bandit2]

Fellow Engineers, this might sound obvious but the list just got shorter. If we don`t make a stand now, you know what`s going to happen. They`ll come hunting for more heads.

[ohallen]

SOPS, you know the answer but let me state the bleeding obvious.

Execs who have no funken idea beyond the short term bonus scheme and are prepared to throw the dice for a single win or lose bet, investors who just care about a potential profit on an asset split, a Board who don't really understand the business and employees who have been successfully divided and conquered by them all AND no process of accountability for anyone while the employees get thrown to the wolves seemingly outside of the law but with no recourse.

Now there is a potential scenario where the Execs have actually lost control of the business and will get out of it anyway they can to try and save face.

Then again I could be wrong.

[Millet Fanger]

p.j.m. - Your response means that QE will be controlling your life when you're not at work as well as when you're there - man up!

[chockchucker]

More from Texas Tony...


I know this week has been a difficult one for all of you. Since Tuesday we have been meeting one on one with LAMEs who are potentially redundant as a result of the overcapacity we have in the business. A number have already started career transition services and are considering their options, including relocation to Perth or Brisbane. Everyone we have made contact with has demonstrated absolute professionalism and integrity throughout this difficult process, and I would like to acknowledge them for their fortitude.

As we are providing employees with this difficult news, I have received feedback from a number of people that those unaffected feel the selection criteria has targeted the ‘wrong people’ and that we are letting go of some of our best Engineers. I wanted to say a few words about this feedback.

Firstly, it is important to bear in mind that in a redundancy situation, people are losing their jobs through no fault of their own. The changes were driven by things such as fleet changes and system of maintenance changes which have reduced demand across the line ports. Unfortunately, this means that we will indeed lose people that would, but for the reduction in demand, be an asset to the company.

As to the selection criteria itself, it is fair to say that no selection criteria or process will deliver an outcome that everyone thinks is 100 percent right. What we have worked hard to do is to develop criteria that are objective, transparent and adapted to meet the specific needs of each port, as well as being in accordance with the requirements that are set out in our industrial instruments. We consulted extensively on the LAME selection criteria and received substantial feedback both directly from employees and from the union. Much of that feedback was incorporated into revisions of the criteria.

I have received some feedback that a measure of performance should have been included in the selection criteria. We have carefully considered this as I am passionate about developing a high performance culture within Maintenance Operations. On balance, we decided that on this occasion that it was not appropriate to include a performance assessment, but rather to focus on the licences and skills required in the business going forward, together with length of service as required in our industrial instruments. However, as we continue to work together within maintenance operations I will continue to look for ways of recognising, rewarding and taking account of performance in everything we do.

As an update for the AMEs, we met with the Alliance unions on Wednesday to continue our consultation. We covered the latest update on the EOI and mitigation opportunities. As I mentioned in my last update the details of the roles in Brisbane Line are available on the notice boards in each base, and there are still a number of roles available in both Perth and Brisbane Base Maintenance. In fact, if all of the opportunities were taken up, we would be left with only two positions remaining overcapacity. We are in the process of setting up our next meeting.

I also wanted to make brief mention of the CASA audit, which this week focused on Sydney. Today is the final day of the Part 145 compliance audit which has covered Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Canberra. All that remains is an ad-hoc audit of Adelaide which will take place next week. The support provided to both the audit and auditors has been excellent. The auditors have been dealt with respectfully by all involved and I can safely say we have done all possible to make it a success. We now await the outcome of the audit and any findings we need to respond to.

Please continue to support each other through this difficult time, and let your manager know if you have any questions or need any assistance.

Thanks for all you do.

Be safe

Tony


And the colossal Pr&%k even tries to sound magnanimous about the whole thing..


What a monumental waste of people.

[004wercras]

Good to see that while people are losing their jobs, their dignity, their homes, and for some even considering 'ending it all' - Tony the **** is kissing CAsA's ass and eating cucumber sandwiches with them while downing bottles of Evian.
I would suggest each Engineer print off a copy of that email, use it to wipe their ass after their next 'workplace deposit' and post it back to Tony via internal mail.....

P.S Can only imagine the size of his upcoming bonus now that the books are getting cleared by having less employees on the engineering and maintenance spreadsheet!

[Big M]

These people love talking the talk about looking after everyone but it's the biggest load of crap.

All of the "management" (and I use that term loosely) couldn't give a brass razoo about us.

Level 1 (CEO)is a small (and small minded) Irish (nil connection) lightweight, low cost minded idiot who knows a total sum of nothing about running a full service, premium airline.

Level 2 (Exec Mngr Engineering) is a 67 year old Dutchman (employed 6yrs ago) who has no idea whatsoever about any operational matters (at his age he is just topping up his retirement fund and has got himself an AUS visa/citizenship to retire and has no compunction to do anything "right" by the company, only what will give him the right "payout/bonus".

Level 3 (Mngr Line Maint) is a late 50's Texan American who was Maintenance Mngr of US airline Southwest Airlines. He was the architect of them outsourcing their maintenance to low cost/no skill Central/South American countries where quality didn't exist but maint checks were "signed-off". After he left Southwest all their maintenance was brought back "in-house"

Below these 3 no hopers with nil loyalty/connection to Australia's Aitline are the complete sycophants like Baldy Tobes, who in turn have Nil operational experience and to make sure they are not challenged, install even more lickspittles below them who are so weak, they rabbit all that is said to them from above. Yes, Grunter, this would be u and you too GB the second part of the amazing flying Bart Boys. Nil experience of being an engineer but apparently know it all.

Too sad all round. ( this only scratches the surface)

[Ngineer]

I have received some feedback that a measure of performance should have been included in the selection criteria. We have carefully considered this as I am passionate about developing a high performance culture within Maintenance Operations. On balance, we decided that on this occasion that it was not appropriate to include a performance assessment

With reference to the above post by Chockchucker, what stands out to me are the words "we have decided that on this occasion".

We have all been suspicious, for some time, that this is part of a grand plan being rolled out. Those words make me feel as if this is just the very start of the demise of us all.

[chockchucker]

Texas Tony Rattled?..............


I wanted to say a few things about a notice issued by Steve Purvinas of the ALAEA on 11 July.

Firstly, I’d like to reiterate that this week has been tough on all of our people. A decision to retrench an employee is not one that is taken lightly, particularly when the employee has provided many years of loyal service to Qantas. The decision has profound impact on the employee, his or her family and all of his or her workmates. I would also like to thank the delegates who have provided support to impacted employees both in 1:1 meetings and separate discussions. Your empathy, professionalism and support have been evident throughout.

These decisions are ones that have been taken following careful analysis and have been the subject of months of consultation. We have mitigated a vast majority of the positions with absolutely no adverse trends in on time performance, overtime or Fleet Health.

In his notice, Steve refers to the working of overtime and cites this as evidence that there are now insufficient employees to acquit the maintenance work. This is not the case. An amount of overtime will always be a feature of our working environments, and indeed our workplace determination specifically refers to the requirement of each employee to work reasonable overtime. There will remain a requirement for some overtime, particularly as we re-balance crews within the ports, employees return from leave under the leave burn program that is being wound up in Sydney and the inevitable disruption that notifications of this sort create in any business is worked through. We are confident, and have provided extensive information to the Union in relation to this, that the numbers we have modeled in each port are appropriate to projected workloads.

Steve also alleges that LAMEs are being pressured to ‘cut corners’ and that operations managers have been employed to pressure you to cut corners. This is absolute hogwash. Let me be clear here. Qantas is justifiably proud of its history of safety and quality. We have a strong culture of safety and reporting. I would ask each and every one of you to continue to uphold this culture by continuing to work to the standards of safety and professionalism that you always do. Form 500s and 2000s are tools available to you to support our reporting culture. I encourage each of you to continue to use these tools in good faith and for their proper purpose.

Of all the statements made in his notice, the most remarkable is “to protect your job we request that you not take any action to assist the company over and above your normal duties” and then goes on to talk about “50 Qantas planes being parked up against the fence…” I can understand his motivation to protect jobs, I have the same desire! However, there will simply be no winners from a strategy that seeks to damage Qantas in our key areas of superiority against our competition. During my time working with you, I have again and again been delighted by the professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile for our customers that Qantas Engineers display. Whether it is ensuring the return of a passenger’s bag, or working as a team to ensure on time performance, it is these actions that will give Qantas the best chance of securing its future, not the negative and damaging tactics promoted by the ALAEA Federal Secretary. After all we are Qantas!

Thanks for all you do.

Tony


The stuff this guy spouts out of his mouth is unbelievable.:ugh:

[V-Jet]

Let me be clear here. Qantas is justifiably proud of its history of safety and quality.

That's probably true. It's just that Management these days don't know what safety and quality is, let alone how to build on it.

I really don't know what you are upset about though. The Chairman's Club lounges are fantastic (some of them are even in ports that Qantas still flies to!!) and those cattle trucks going off to Poland surely aren't all that uncomfortable!!!

[Redphantom]

This goes out to ALL Lames and Ame's... The selection criteria has been set and implemented...any O/T or cutting corners will not change your status in that criteria except allow them to cull even more . We must act as one to secure everyone's future and carry out every task 100% by the procedures set in place . Doing ANY O/T will just dig a grave for someone else.
100% NO TO OVERTIME. 100% BY THE BOOK

[004wercras]

not the negative and damaging tactics promoted by the ALAEA Federal Secretary. After all we are Qantas!Tony, you are a tool. Steve isn't promoting 'tactics'. You and your QF bonus hungry senior managers are the ones employing 'tactics', treating people and their families like chess pieces or tactical pieces in some kind of airline internal war. Your statement against Steve is baseless. Steve has simply said 'report report report', don't get fatigued by doing overtime, don't employ work around's, cut corners or ignore S.O.P's, Steve has merely suggested that engineers 'work to rule', just like you are currently working to 'management rule' Tony. So take it whatever way you want mate.

And as for Tonys waffle about Qantas customers, highest levels of standards etc, give me a break. It is clowns like you, your executive managers, Joyce, that have turned QF into a second rate low cost crap service, surprisingly just like a Jetstar or a Southwest. So you can forget insinuating that 'work to rule ' may affect the airline or customers mate, you clowns have already trashed the brand .

[neville_nobody]

Level 3 (Mngr Line Maint) is a late 50's Texan American who was Maintenance Mngr of US airline Southwest Airlines. He was the architect of them outsourcing their maintenance to low cost/no skill Central/South American countries where quality didn't exist but maint checks were "signed-off". After he left Southwest all their maintenance was brought back "in-house"

Was he the guy responsible for their $7.5 million FAA fine? The FAA wanted a world record $10.2 million but settled lower. It was to do with a bunch of inspections that never got done.

Guess we can see where QF are heading then......

[004wercras]

Yes Neville, the old geezer responsible for such a hefty fine is indeed sharing his skills at QF. Fortunately the FAA weren't in bed with Southwest, hence the decent fine. Can you imagine CAsA taking action against QF? Ha, yeah right.
The decline of QF at the hands of Joyce is astonishing, but I believe there will eventually be one more event that occurs which will finally seal QF's fete. I hope I am wrong.

[griffin one]

How Hypocritical.
This coming from the guy who publicly states that QE is gold plating maintenance and that we should adopt so called worlds best practice.
Sad thing is QE used to be worlds best practice.

[Arnold E]

Level 3 (Mngr Line Maint) is a late 50's Texan American who was Maintenance Mngr of US airline Southwest Airlines. He was the architect of them outsourcing their maintenance to low cost/no skill Central/South American countries where quality didn't exist but maint checks were "signed-off". After he left Southwest all their maintenance was brought back "in-house"

Is this a FACT or not? Is there someone willing to put their name to this statement?

[MrSnuggles]

Ok, I'm from Sweden so please feel free to tell me to bugger off.

I just want to say that the way to beat those bastards is to report. Use your maintenance manual and report each and every tidbit that don't go according to it. Bureaucrats don't understand people, they can only understand papers. So give them papers. Reports. Lots of them. Is there a missing screw? File a report. Did you find a drop of jet-A on the floor after maintenance? File a dozen reports, at least one including hazmat.

Boneheads don't listen to people. But when you drown them in papers they will take action.

And, I don't know who put those guys in Qantas in charge, but someone needs to remove their butts. Can you file reports for stupid mgmt?

(If someone would like to explain to me how you workers can not get rid of top mgmt I will listen intently.)

[Capt Quentin McHale]

Arnold,


Google is your friend. Do some homework, it's there for all to see!!!


McHale.

[Kharon]

NN - [who] was Maintenance Mngr of US airline Southwest Airlines. He was the architect of them outsourcing their maintenance to low cost/no skill Central/South American countries where quality didn't exist but maint checks were "signed-off". After he left Southwest all their maintenance was brought back "in-house"

MS – "I just want to say that the way to beat those bastards is to report. Use your maintenance manual and report each and every tidbit that don't go according to it. Bureaucrats don't understand people, they can only understand papers. So give them papers. Reports. Lots of them. Is there a missing screw? File a report. Did you find a drop of jet-A on the floor after maintenance? File a dozen reports, at least one including hazmat.

Steve's post – 73 (http://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/543166-qantas-sacking-tarmac-engineers-4.html#post8558021)– (IMO) provides the very best start point for solution; but consider taking it to the next level. The FAA fined SWA; and they do not mess about. For FAA to go to their "Depcon 4" level there is a world of process, education and investigation done before the big guns roll out. The FAA have to get to "court" level of evidence before acting. How about a FAA style of audit, in support of the proper reporting process being done, internally by ALAEA – to produce the same level (type) of evidence that the FAA relied on. The other side of the dagger is that it may blow back – if someone has 'deliberately' broken SOP or the rules; but that is defendable, if it can be proved that the 'directive' came from a responsible manager. Ask for a written instruction or directive before breaching SOP – no memo – sorry, can't do that, it's against the rules – file a report – then do it the right way.

McHale – "Google is your friend. Do some homework, it's there for all to see!!!

I'm sure a connection with SWA engineering could be established and the trail which led to the eventual return to 'in house' maintenance could be mirrored in the QE argument. Steve knows you can't beat these buggers in the tea room and I'm almost certain the troops know that a 5/8 spanner will not shift a ½" nut. Need to use the right tool....I reckon Steve is on the right track, just needs to be Amped up a bit. Find a plan; or buy a St Jude (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/st-jude-10-things-you-2641266) medallion.

Just my two bob's worth, wish there was more I could do.......{Sad face smiley}.

[bandit2]

Found this searching Southwest Heavy Maint. It was an article written in Sept 2012, regarding Southwest taking control of Airtran.


In addition to a common fleet of 737-700s, the maintenance infrastructures of the merging airlines offered similar capabilities, according to Brian Hirshman, Southwest's senior vice president of technical operations. AirTran operated line-maintenance hangars at Atlanta and Orlando, but it outsourced all airframe and component work. Southwest performs heavy airframe work and intermediate level inspections (C checks) at Dallas Love Field. Intermediate checks are also carried out at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport, Chicago's Midway Airport, and Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix—but Southwest contracts out “a large majority” of component repairs. (Emergency slides, crew seats, aircraft doors and on-wing composite repairs are among components maintained in-house. Both carriers outsource engine maintenance. Southwest expects to add line maintenance at Denver International Airport in October.[/COLOR]

[Goddamnslacker]

Well Texas Tony's email really inspires the remaining guys at Base, SDT & SIT..I am sure it has given us all the motivation to go that extra step and help the company out doing overtime!!!
The man is a "Goose", every time the ALAEA put out a notice he has to reply and all he does is put more and more people off side...
Overtime isnt required...management know what they are doing, achieving their bonuses by cutting costs, and it is the only way they know how, is to cut manpower.....it wont be long before delays and the dreaded Hold Item lists start to overflow...ontime departures start to slip...but hey its the WORLD BEST PRACTICE....Can someone tell me why you would compare Qantas, a International/Domestic Airline with multiple types to a domestic American single type operation? The two are radically different in operation, routes, types etc...
Why did we employ a failure...a person with no credibility...

[aveng]

Why did we employ a failure...a person with no credibility

QF have a history of poor decisions.:yuk:

[LookinDown]

I agree whole heartedly with you Snuggles.
Bureaucrats thrive on 'nice' paperwork and drown in 'negative' paperwork. The latter is the only thing that they react meaningfully to.
Tightening the screws specifically in maintenance is exactly where the focus should be at this stage IMHO. Completing such paperwork is so time consuming too, but essential.
LD

[Acute Instinct]

Aveng asks, Why did we employ a failure?...a person with no credibility?....

Firstly one must accept that this type of individual has been specifically hired to do a specific job. That is in fact to fail or otherwise wind down. They all share specific personality and psychological traits. They are deliberately sourced from expatriate fodder to ensure their are no emotional attachments to pulling the trigger. All they do is travel the world rolling out their destructive business plans to achieve a certain goal set by boards and institutional investors. All they have ever done is destroy. Then leave the real work of creation to those that have to clean up the mess.
They are guns for hire, and now they are starting to blaze away.
Exactly as was done at Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett, Southwest, and damn me if I've missed a few. Only for all there initiatives to be overturned and corrected.
You know who they are (and the hoards that admire them)
To the point of my post. I know why they are there. I know what they do. What I am completely revolted by is the abhorrent attack upon the psychological well being of their staff. The published patronisations churned out as warm and calming blankets of comfort to the huddled masses. The carefully composed and considered language of narcissists. How they underestimate the intelligence of their charges.
Lets call a spade a spade shall we. In Australia, a nation of straight shooters, we have a name for the likes of this lot. They are called bastards. Not because of the job they do, no, they are bastards because they are insincere. Every word they utter is designed to subdue through manufactured empathy. They are bastards because they deliberately conspire to bring you in close, and just when you get that fuzzy feeling they slit your throat. Over and over again.
Previous posts would suggest that the American is struggling with his temper and ego. For him to respond publicly to the Fed Sec should bring you all some satisfaction. Better to be thought the fool than known it you idiot.
Fed Sec, your morality and motives are admirable. Keep up the good work that you do. You make this lot look like a bunch of amateurs.


KR

[PIOT Bord]

QE managers have cleared their diaries for tomorrow. Could be for numerous reasons but last Tuesday seemed to suit. Could it be the same thing but a week later for the AMEs?


I hope not.

[The Bungeyed Bandit]

You'll know PIOT if you see Johnno come back in off leave. He did it last Tuesday

[Goddamnslacker]

Guys, It is the movement of people from SDT & SIT the 30 or so from each area to Base Servicing, they are deciding the names and then staff will be told...All of the redundancy & moves have to be completed before 31St July..

[chockchucker]

A week on from the debacle of CR culling and all seems to have gone quiet.


Any updates from an ALAEA point of view please FEDSEC?

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

Working on that with Lawyers mate and about 50 individual appeals. We were working all last weekend on it to. Going quiet doesn't mean we are playing golf.

[chockchucker]

Not meant as a criticism FEDSEC. Just the guys who are now very much on the outside looking in are being starved of any information. And the days are moving very fast towards their termination dates ( particularly those with only 8 weeks notice).

Thanks for the update.

[Hugh Mungous]

I'm sure that the company would like to express it's gratitude to our "brothers" over in the West who are managing to find time away from their families in order to go in on O/T and acquit large amounts of osip work that can't be done here due current manpower levels.. F@?ken ar$eholes.. I'll tell you what though.. When the worm turns in your direction you'll have my full support, because I'm not a f&@ken dog..

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

Bugger all overtime is being worked in Perth.

[QFBUSBOY]

What Fedsec says is right, although plenty of blokes over East were tripping over themselves to do OT when the PER bros were looking for support back in 2007, even had a few fly over to help out the company because PER bros were too busy with their families.

There will always be blokes who go against the tide, so don't be too quick to judge, especially as what you're talking about is probably hearsay Hugh Mungous.

[rivet head]

Some cabo guys didn't even think about whether to come in on o/time yesterday.No shortage of takers for o/time in Sydney with both lames and ames jumping at the opportunity to do the M.E.D major structural inspections on a 747.They can't even wait for the dust to settle and with the ame cull about to start.I think I could only speak to these people on a professional level from now on.

[going postal]

There wouldn't be many cabos left that would really know what they are looking at for that particular inspection.

[SPER]

The Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus has a large maintenance and overhaul facility to support its fleet of 30 or so historic trams. It's a big men's shed in effect, staffed mainly by retired railway maintenance guys, fitters and turners, electricians etc. Everyone is a volunteer, except one carpenter I think, who does specialist joinery.

It's an easy going workshop, no real deadlines, no pressure, as it's not run on commercial lines. One of the trams has been in a major rebuild for more than 3 years. Things get done when they get done, pretty much. Wednesdays and Saturdays 0830 till about 1500 are the workshop times. You can turn up occasionally or regularly, work with others or take on a rebuild project of your own. If you don't have a particular skill and need it for your project, one of the guys will be happy to show you how or work with you.

It would probably suit older guys recently made redundant and with time available who want to keep active and contributing. Gets you out of the house and it's not far to drive for those living in The Shire. Loftus railway station is right next to the workshop also.

If this interests you, you can PM or email me for more details or just turn up at Loftus on a maintenance day and have a look. Ask for Bill Parkinson, who is in charge of the workshop. He'll be happy to show you around.

Pete
<I'm not really new here. My other persona has been here for a while>

[33 Disengage]

Some cabo guys didn't even think about whether to come in on o/time yesterday.No shortage of takers for o/time in Sydney with lames
Bit of an overkill as your rant refers to one LAME. And, yes, it is disappointing he cares about his own pocket more than his colleagues, but don't tar everyone with the same brush. If you are that close to the situation you might have noticed, that due to other "more pressing" work priorities, no one else worked with him for the whole shift.

There wouldn't be many cabos left that would really know what they are looking at for that particular inspection
Have to agree, but the one who was on o/t got plenty of experience when he was in heavy.

[NSEU]

Texas Tony: I would ask each and every one of you to continue to uphold this culture by continuing to work to the standards of safety and professionalism that you always do. Form 500s and 2000s are tools available to you to support our reporting culture. I encourage each of you to continue to use these tools in good faith and for their proper purpose.

Can anyone lend me some "white space". I have ten Form 500's to put in (and that was only from yesterday) :ugh:

[cocobananas]

What about other ports, ADL, BNE, CNS, etc. are guys working O/T or is everyone sticking together.....what is happening around the network??

[chockchucker]

It's late Friday and guess what?

Filipetto has given all his LMO port managers a spin......


Line Maintenance Terminals Leadership Update

I am now in a position to largely detail the changes to the LMO Terminals Leadership line up going forward. These changes will consolidate the effort required to take our business forward as it faces both the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead.

Manager Line Maintenance Sydney Terminals / Canberra
Mark Austin will continue in this role with the excellent leadership he has been providing over recent months. Mark has previous experience as Line Maintenance Manager WA/SA/NT, Production Manager Sydney Aircraft Maintenance and Operations Manager SIO.

Manager Line Maintenance Melbourne / Hobart
After a long and illustrious career spanning 42 years with TAA, Australian Airlines and Qantas, Tony Lauder has elected to leave the organisation and retire. Tony has demonstrated outstanding leadership and technical competency throughout the time I have known and worked with him. I would like to congratulate him on an exemplary career and thank him for the time spent in Maintenance Watch and his stewardship of the Melbourne Line Maintenance business. Ali Al-Hilli will join my team filling the void left by Tony’s departure. Ali brings 35 years’ experience having led various areas in Line Maintenance, Heavy Maintenance, Maintenance Control, Customer Support and Production Planning. Most recently, Ali has been leading the Avalon Heavy Maintenance facility and the B744 transformation program.

Manager line Maintenance Perth
Paul Trask elected to leave the business some months back to pursue other interests. Paul did an excellent job in Perth and the foundation he laid will be picked up by Mark Wade who will move permanently into the role vacated by Paul. Mark will bring to the Perth Line Maintenance Team his extensive people and operational experience, gained during 15 years with Qantas. Mark has led significant change programs in his roles within Q Catering as Operations Manager in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and General Manager Perth. At Qantas Airports, Mark has held roles in Perth as Airport Operations Manager, Business Improvement Manager, Customer Service Manager and led a number of change initiatives across the NSW/ACT region as Manager Sydney Airport Transformation.

Manager Line Maintenance Brisbane
Again after a very long and significant career with Line Maintenance spanning almost 39 years, Mark Thompson has elected to leave the LMO business to pursue other interests. Having risen through the ranks, Mark has been very effective in his leadership roles over the years and has worked hard to make improvements in all positions he has occupied. Please join me in wishing Mark the very best in his future pursuits. Rick Warfield will now move to the position of Manager, Line Maintenance Brisbane. Rick joined Qantas in 2002 after many years working in various airlines and roles. Rick started as a LAME in BNE LMO and moved across to Brisbane Base Maintenance as the inaugural Shift/Operations Manager. After six and a half years in Base Maintenance, Rick moved to Adelaide to take on his current role of SA LMO Manager in 2010.

Manager Line Maintenance Adelaide
Given Rick’s move to the Brisbane role, I will look to use the Adelaide position as a development opportunity in the short to mid-term and I am pleased to announce that Ryan Brand – Ops Manager BNE LMO, will take up a six month secondment role as the Manager in Adelaide. Ryan returned to Qantas in 2000 in Sydney Heavy maintenance. The majority of his time since then has been spent working in MEL LMO as a LAME and Duty Maintenance Manager. Around 18 months ago Ryan took on the role as Operations Manager in Brisbane Base Maintenance and was involved in several transformation projects as well as project managing A380 offshore maintenance. In February Ryan moved back to LMO as an Operations Manager in Brisbane.

In regards to Darwin and Cairns, an interim arrangement will see Mark Strange – who currently leads the Darwin line station, assumes operational control of both these ports along with Townsville and, Alice Springs. A permanent resolution to the leadership of this region will be forthcoming soon as some details are finalised.

Please join me in congratulating and thanking those managers that are leaving our business for their outstanding efforts and dedication over many years, and wishing them the very best. In addition, please join me in welcoming the new leadership line up to our business. This LMO Leadership team going forward will continue to focus closely on staff engagement, safety, quality and operational excellence. Most of these changes will formalise and take effect in the late August / September timeframe as handovers are scheduled.

I would also like to personally thank Geoff Moore for the role he has played in managing Cairns over the last four months for me. Geoff will also be leaving the Organisation soon and again, he too has had a long and exemplary career with Qantas over many years. Geoff is seen as an “elder” and mentor by many he works with, and he will be sorely missed. We wish him well in his retirement. My thanks also to Warren Rogers for his assistance in providing short term leadership relief in both Cairns and Perth recently. Warren will be moving to another role after providing Mark a handover in Perth. Also my thanks to Martin Grimshaw who has been managing Cairns for me in the past few weeks.

For my part, I hope to move from my LMOM Program Manager role to my full time job of heading up the LMO Leadership team in the coming weeks where I can give my full attention to continuing on our journey of business improvement and consistent and honest communications with our people. I know that the recent changes in LMO have been really hard on everyone and this has left our people perhaps confused and uncertain, even cynical and raw. Being so close to it myself, I have seen how people have been affected and I do not diminish it for one minute – I have found it very difficult too, but now is the time to move forward. My commitment is to communicate openly, plainly and often - so as to re-engage our LMO Staff in what we still have to do going forward. I have two simple goals – they are to make the LMO Line Station business the best it can be and for our people to be happy by and large, to come to work.

We will however need to constantly challenge the way we do things in our business. We are part of a larger organisation and a global industry and more change is inevitable. I have flagged the review of our procedures that is needed and then what we do on the tarmac. We need to continue doing the right things for our customers, always providing the technical and quality excellence we are renowned for, and working safely – making the best use of our skills. I have signalled that we will need to work collaboratively in tweaking rosters to better match workload demand. These matters will be discussed openly and with balance, and the very people who work the tarmac and the rosters will be asked to contribute, and help shape the best possible outcomes for all concerned. I would like to make better use of technology, smart phones and tablets for example on tarmac to help with our daily work requirements, as well as focus on facility, GSE and tooling needs to have the right gear in the right place at the right time. Building stronger working relationships with Planning and the Part 42 is also prime going forward and leveraging off that collaboration to get things done.

That’s all for now, but in ending I would like to say that whilst things are tough at the moment, I do hold great optimism for the future. There is no magic in any of this – just understanding, hard work and collaboration from us all to keep developing the LMO business in a way that secures our future.

Thank you and with kind regards

Dave


Read into these moves what you will but, it's obvious to me that the campaign of buggery is still far from over.:yuk:

[bugged on the right]

I am following this story as an outsider who once considered it my responsibility as an Australian to always fly Qantas. It belonged to us and while there were problems with overmanning, it was the best airline in the world. I can't believe what the management have done to the company. It's almost as if they are infiltrators from a competitor and sadly I no longer travel on the airline. I think it was the staples in the floor lighting that did it for me. As for the above clown's letter to staff, the moment I see the words 'going forward', I know that anything which follows is going to be bull****.
I wish you all well in the struggle but I fear it is too late for the Roo.

[Nassensteins Monster]

the moment I see the words 'going forward',

...I see red. I F**KING HATE that phrase. WTF is wrong with "in future"?

It is my sincere hope that in time, this phrase will be consigned to the dustbin of history, and every person who ever used it will cringe that they used it so flippantly, frequently and slavishly.

[ozaggie]

Why the **** is a catering manager in charge of maintenance? They can't be serious!
Mark will bring to the Perth Line Maintenance Team his extensive people and operational experience, gained during 15 years with Qantas. Mark has led significant change programs in his roles within Q Catering as Operations Manager in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and General Manager Perth. At Qantas Airports, Mark has held roles in Perth as Airport Operations Manager, Business Improvement Manager, Customer Service Manager and led a number of change initiatives across the NSW/ACT region as Manager Sydney Airport Transformation

You couldn't make this **** up, could you? I am gobsmacked!

[SOPS]

Unfortunately, the words deck chairs, rearranging and Titanic come to mind.:{

[Captain Gidday]

"Looking back over 10 years experience (of B707 planning, introduction and service), I would say unhesitatingly that any success we achieve today or any standards of integrity of technical operation which we have established rests very largely on the fact that we have been able and indeed encouraged by our management, down the years, to expand not only the depths of our technical support, but also the breadth of our technical administration.

Technical support divisions ... have the responsibilty of providing the solution in terms of precise and airworthy fixes for the production divisions to incorporate. All three echelons, Technical Administraion, Technical Support and the Operating Division, must be competent and confident of their ability, sometimes almost twice daily, to get up and go together. I could name examples among many airlines in many countries where one, two (and sometimes all three) of these three critical functioning echelons are either weak or non-existent.

The worst tragedy is to see an airline with competent, keen and enthusiastic engineers in the production division having their hearts broken because they do not have proper technical administration above them or where their technical support divisions are woefully weak. Qantas today has over 40 professional engineers in its technical support divisions and we need every one of them.

I think one of the faults that occur in engineering organisations in airlines is that the higher technical administration echelons ignore the old dictum "watch the doughnut and not the hole." Forward planning on economic problems, on non-technical administration and on the problems of projected new equipment are, in the final analysis, not nearly as essential from an engineering management point of view as forward planning on hardware, on preventative maintenance and forward planning on rectification problems with a view to eliminating causes; rather than simply getting slicker in the treatment of effects."

D. B. Hudson. Engineering Manager Qantas Airways
July, 1966.

[Door Matt]

Looks like the Boy's and Gal's in the West are washing dishes between Transits?:confused:

[V-Jet]

CG:
What a brilliant summation of how an airline should 'think'. I am sure that everyone I have worked with at Qf were so excited to join a group with that philosophy and desire for excellence - it was certainly how I felt. And look what a collection of fools, sycophants and thieves have done in such a short space of time....

[Ngineer]

I can't believe what the management have done to the company. It's almost as if they are infiltrators from a competitor and sadly I no longer travel on the airline.

It is a shame that you no longer fly with the roo, maybe one day you may reconsider and return as a customer. Unfortunately you are not alone from what I have been told by other Aussie travellers like yourself. Incidents like MH17 show how differently other carriers run their operations to us, but with the amount of routes we fly dwindling then I guess not many Aussies have a choice to fly with us anymore,

Unfortunately, I feel, the problems lie in levels of management way beyond those we deal with. We recieve feedback from Engineering managmement that they try and talk us up to the exec levels, however the execs no longer trust us (and we don't trust them either). Occassionally it seems people are sent down from above to make sure we are not causing trouble during times of crisis. Those people who are sent to check up on us generally understand that we do the right thing and go about business as usual and in a very professional manner. They are just doing what they are told.

What I am trying to say is there is a massive disconnect between core ops workers and the upper levels of management. It seems to me they do not understand what we do (or how we operate). Resultantly there is not alot of trust in this place between us and them. That is just one of the very many problems we face.

[p.j.m]

It is a shame that you no longer fly with the roo, maybe one day you may reconsider and return as a customer.

I flew to China earlier in the year, rather than fly a direct flight with Qantas, I flew Singapore Air and stopped overnight in Singapore.

After Qantas left me stranded in South America a few years ago, never again with them. Good call Joycie.

[Australopithecus]

Joycie? You come on this forum expecting to be taken sympathetically with that?

I do wish you would give us a second chance. With any luck I could strand you again.

[p.j.m]

I do wish you would give us a second chance.

No chance. I was at Sydney airport recently and saw Qantas staff "reprimanding" an older couple for standing in line to checkin. She told them they "should" be using the electronic checkin kiosks that were devoid of customers, so the line to checkin with a real person would not be so long.

[V-Jet]

No chance. I was at Sydney airport recently and saw Qantas staff "reprimanding" an older couple for standing in line to checkin. She told them they "should" be using the electronic checkin kiosks that were devoid of customers, so the line to checkin with a real person would not be so long.

That's just the type of stupid thinking that has the potential to ruin a fantastic bonus structure all the way up the tree to Joyce. You just don't get the 'big picture'.

[bmam7]

I am but a mere passenger but it's heartbreaking to see what is happening at QF these days. I am one of those who prefer to fly with the kangaroo and do at at my own cost, not like some of the Platinum wankers on another site who complain if they don't get their glass of orange juice in time.

I will be flying to Europe in November but, alas, because of the weird decision by QF to give nearly everything away to EK, I am only on three QF legs, BNE/SIN, SIN/MEL and MEL/BNE. The rest is with EK as that is the only way I can get to where I am going. Next year I again fly to Europe but as I want to go via HKG, I've chosen CX because, of course, there is not even a codeshare with QF from HKG to CDG - there used to be before the Irish git decided that EK was the way to go.

I try and fly QF as much as I can, as I said, but that is becoming more and more of a domestic arrangement than international. The quicker those b**** get the chop the better, but the institutional investors seem happy so nothing ever happens.

I should add that when I am on QF, I find the cabin crew to be some of the friendliest folks you could wish for. Also I feel very safe with the folks at the real pointy end - the flight crew.

Many thanks for a lot of enjoyable flying and my sincere hope that those of you in the firing line go on to bigger and better things.

[Capt Quentin McHale]

After 40 plus years in engineering working at QF stations all over this wonderful planet, I thought I had seen it all...


Then along comes a promotion..... a person who brings "15 long years of extensive people and operational skills"..... in Q Catering and check-in chicks.... to run engineering in Perth!!!


Please, somebody wake me up, it's just a bad dream, isn't it????????


McHale. :ugh: :ugh: :ugh:

[SRM]

What is the regulator doing, how are they allowing unqualified people to hold these positions.

It would not happen overseas so why should it happen here!

[QFBUSBOY]

Doesn't CASA require someone with an engineering or technical background to be a manager?

Doesn't it say somewhere in the legislation that managers of engineering staff must have some form of technical qualifications to remain compliant to the legislation. Guys like Joyce don't need to, but his engineering management team do.

I wonder if he has more than a Bachelor of Arts in Australian literature? Apparently this was all a previous Sydney manager held to run a key engineering section.

[ratpoison]

What is the regulator doing,:D:D:D
Australia does NOT have a regulator my friend. It is a boat club for government employees to grease the pole of graft and corruption by "approving" continuous "exemptions" to legislated law in an effort to gain employment with such operator and then continue as in A above.
A recent senate inquiry which suspiciously came to a grinding halt proves this beyond doubt.:ugh:

[Kiwiconehead]

With regard to CASA and Maintenance and designated positions.

It is all laid out here in the Guidance material for Part 145 AMC

http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/lib100056/amcgmp145.pdf

Ultimate accountable manager should be Joyce as CEO - but that may have been delegated to GM Engineering.

From there depending on the structure there will be responsible managers - probably GM Line maintenance and GM heavy or whatever they call those positions.

Below that there is no real requirement for managers to have any specific qualifications - as long as they are not deemed "responsible managers" as per Part 145 in the company structure.

But - the ultimate requirements will be laid out the Qantas Engineering Part 145 MOE - that will list the positions and requirements for each of those positions.

[Managers Perspective]

Ngineer, what are you trying to infer here?
Incidents like MH17 show how differently other carriers run their operations to us, but with the amount of routes we fly dwindling then I guess not many Aussies have a choice to fly with us anymore,

MP

[Ngineer]

Save your bait for a bigger fish.

[rudderless1]

Guys are you serious, or just that dumb.

Why are you aiding the movement of work to make your fellow employees redundant.

If there is a shortage of licenses in your port MAYBE THEY NEED TO DO SOME TRAINING.

If there is a shortage of manpower, maybe that is self induced due to moving work from ports where they have manpower.

So if you're happy to take someone else's job while you earn double... KEEP IT UP WHILST REDUNDANCIES ARE BEING MADE W:mad:KERS!!!!

[Sunfish]

Does anybody not understand the implied slur in appointing a former catering manager to an engineering management position? I sure as hell do.

engineers = kitchen hands

[hi-speed tape]

Apparently our management think we are more akin to fish packers than kitchen hands Sunny.
That is if the last job vacancies post that they distributed to us is anything to go by.

[Capt Quentin McHale]

Hey Sunny,


I guess with the "cooks" promotion to Engineering manager, it puts a whole new slant on the word "greasetrap"!!!!


McHale. http://www.pprune.org/images/infopop/icons/icon7.gif

[CamelSquadron]

Engineers are very good at engineering. But generally they dont make very good managers. But this is a very big generalisation and apologies to those handful of engineers who are good managers.

[Anulus Filler]

Engineers are very good at engineering. But generally they dont make very good managers. But this is a very big generalisation and apologies to those handful of engineers who are good managers.:sad:

Is the management that we have at the moment, which are not engineers, a good example?

Spare us the drivel.

[Sunfish]

Camel:

Engineers are very good at engineering. But generally they dont make very good managers. But this is a very big generalisation and apologies to those handful of engineers who are good managers.

And your citation please? Do you mean professional engineers or LAME's? My Forty years of management experience have led me to believe it is fatal to try and manage something you have no understanding of at the coal face.

It is the "scientific management" crowd - anyone can manage anything if they have management training believers who are responsible for the under performance of a lot of corporations and institutions.

To put that another way, it used to be said in management circles that you should never order someone to do something that you cannot do yourself.

[V-Jet]

To put that another way, it used to be said in management circles that you should never order someone to do something that you cannot do yourself.

I'll go further. It simply cannot be done because the manager that does has absolutely no idea whether the job in question is able to be done, been done at all, been done badly or properly.

If you were making cupcakes that is a recipe for financial disaster. Operating highly (the most highly?) technical things readily available to humanity this type of insanity could lead anywhere.

At least one idiot came up with the idea. Another idiot backed it. Probably yet another idiot implemented it, and finally a complete turkey felt 'honoured' to be asked to do a job he has absolutely no possibility of doing properly. None of the idiots involved in that process (for thats what they are - every last one of them) has any business in the company for they are actively destroying it. And if they cant see that, then the problem is even worse!

Aside from anything else, part of a managers job is to compliment workers on a job well done. Assuming every duck on the planet lines up and said manager actually has a grasp of what someone might have achieved - what sort of respect would someone have for obviously empty words from a known idiot? And that's a POSITIVE example.

This gets worse and worse and worse.

[chockchucker]

Here we go chaps........

Notice 54-2014 - All Qantas Members - Qantas LAME Update 22 July 2014

We met again yesterday with our friends from Qantas for discussions about the proposed LAME redundancies. As set out below a couple of relevant matters were discussed that I am sure will interest most members. But in other news we are told 8 LAMEs have applied for the 10 LAME positions in Perth. The option is still open and will remain so until the last half a dozen or who have been off on leave are told that their job no longer exists. In total there are now 69 on the CR list, confined to Melbourne and Sydney. All the potential Adelaide retrenchments have been avoided.

380 Rosters

During the course of the day there was discussion about the new crew make up in SAM. Management advised that the fifth pod crews would be absorbed into the SAM crews and that the 380 crews would move to the SAM roster, making a total of 30 crews.

We sought an explanation from the airline as to why we were 14 meetings into a consultation process and were only hearing for the first time from them that an entire section was moving rosters. We advised Qantas that they were in breach of the consultation provisions of our Workplace Determination because they had not outlined all aspects of the changes from the outset and were sitting on this further effect caused by the new model they are putting in place.

Tony Lowery then confirmed, after an intermission and legal advice, that no breach had occurred because the firm decision on the A380 roster change had only been made within the last week. A review of the consultation packs from March this year was then done. As early as March, and without notification to the ALAEA, they had already created SAM charts with all the A380 crews on the SAM roster. It is days like this that we feel justified in telling members not to trust a word that Qantas management say. They are just making up the story and excuses as they go.

Roster Ballot

The ALAEA Executive members also advised the airline that we seek a ballot in every section across the country for a return to 8 hour rosters.

This would be a ballot in every section where it will be your choice to keep your current extended hour roster and if you choose not to, it will be back to 8 hour days until such time that any follow up ballot was taken to return to an extended hour shift. I understand that this will begin considerable debate in the workplace and we will represent the views of employees to Qantas.



Steve Purvinas

Federal Secretary


A return to 8hr rosters eh? That might fill in more than a little of Texas Tony's "white space".

Bring it on! :D

[Redpanda]

Wonder if engineering management went into 'panic mode' when the 8 hour roster was mentioned....:D

[savage1qan]

8 hour roster ??? I don't think that will get up.

[CoolB1Banana]

If that's all the union's got, we're all in trouble!

[chockchucker]

sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones.


Of course, it does rely on some solidarity among us. Sadly, not one of our strong points as a group.

[CoolB1Banana]

Those who want to work 8hr shifts should just take a package. Plenty of 8hr day jobs out there.

[the_company_spy]

I think you are totally missing the point banana.

[CoolB1Banana]

Reverting to 8hr shifts has been tried before. It didn't work then and won't work now.

[the_company_spy]

Oh really? Do tell.

[chockchucker]

Exactly when was it last tried?

I was around when the 12hr came in to both Qantas and Ansett at the start of the 1990's and I've never known an entire organisation to revert to 8hr shifts since.

Particularly after letting so many people go.


Sadly, I must admit that I do not feel that my brothers are a band of one on this issue.


Short sightedness, and a "so sad too bad" attitude to the recently made redundant will probably prevail.


I would give anything to be wrong.

[JETTRONIC]

You might just be a little surprised at the solidarity that will be shown now. When management tapped me and the rest the other week it only brought my crew closer together. The 8hr threat has worked before and it will work again. They pushed a few people a little to far this time and the crews realise that something has to be done.

[CoolB1Banana]

The guys in Perth went to 8hr to try to keep their roster and Z days. They lost both after a long and bitter fight.

[aveng]

Wrong on both counts coolbanana. In perth we are still on 4 on 4 off with z days.


Mind you the management idiots who thought they 8 hour roster was a good idea are mostly all gone. New management new brainwave?

[CoolB1Banana]

Same roster with the same number of Z days. My mistake, obviously...

[aveng]

The point was adequately demonstrated that the 8 hour roster does NOT work.

The simplest tasks become a problem for the airline at shift end.

[Millet Fanger]

8 hr shift = unproductive shift. Don't understand why management do it.


Dealings with AME's unions has been just as chaotic.


It does breed a resilience though.

[Jet-A-One]

One thing I can guarantee, if we all go back to the 8 hour, is that it will be the end of the domestic 4-on-4-off 12 hour roster. They have wanted to get rid of it for years and this will play straight into their hands. The absolute best you could hope for then is the SAM roster or the one they now work in PER (which contrary to what aveng says is a compromise between a sh!t sandwich and what the blokes fought a long, hard battle to keep).

In my opinion, when it comes to SDT, I think the company would prefer an 8 hour over the current roster. Once SAM start doing all the overnighters they won't need a 12 hour nightshift anymore. You could probably say the same about BNE once they lose their overnight phase check.

Whatever 8 hour roster they choose to put in place in the meantime (and they can pick any that suits them) will be one that screws us. How does 5 2300-0700 shifts in a row sound?

I hope everyone realises, when the time eventually comes to vote in a new extended hour roster, it will only be rosters that suit them that will be offered. Don't assume the one you work now will be one of them.

[the_company_spy]

Jet-A, I think you'll find there will not be any engineers left at the Domestic terminal in the end any way.

[rudderless1]

2300 - 0700. X5
Fatigue EASA, sick, interest, quality negligable cost difference on basic shift
Multiply the cost of shift by the cost of inefficiency equals the true cost.
12 hr compared to 8 hr
12 hr=1.44 and workforce ok with it.
8hr= 1.37 by a conservative loss factor of 1.2 for handovers, supervision, sick, extra training
= 1.64 effectively hmmm
But they are dumb,

[CoolB1Banana]

and we would be just as dumb to vote for the 8hr.

It would be nothing but an an own goal!

[ConcernedLAME]

As Jet A One has stated rosters are designed to suit the company's requirements .
I think some of you guys should step back and think about the guys who are losing their jobs.

Be thankful you still have a job - a job that pays pretty well .

Don't whinge about having to leave the terminal to work in SAM . I nearly choked on my coffee when I read that one .

I'm no company man but a realist - do you job and do it well and remember your brothers who have just been shown the front door .

The horse has bolted and it started when Avalon started and 245 was winding down ....

Where were the terminal and base brothers then !!!

[CoolB1Banana]

then take a package. Plenty of 8hr day jobs out there.

[savage1qan]

good one, if you want 8 take the bait

[CoolB1Banana]

I think most blokes are willing to put in a fight and make sacrifices when it comes to things that will make a difference. If going to the 8hr is all the ammo we've got, it must be time to put the pistol in its holster for a while. I knew to be worried when The Masked Goat Rider came out of retirement. There is nothing that is going to get anyone in the detention centre their jobs back. Most of them know it and are only sitting out the 12 weeks to get the shift penalties. Harsh but true and we all know it.

[Talkwrench]

I disagree that an employee driven return to 8 hour roster would be an "own goal" and that the company "have wanted an 8 hour roster for years".

As far as I am aware, the company can put anyone on an 8 roster at any time with the appropriate notice given. It is only extended hours rosters that require agreement from the employees. Thus, if the company have been wanting an 8 hour roster for years, why haven't they just done it already?

[The masked goatrider]

Correct Talkwrench. The company can do it any time and if it would work, they would have done it already because there is no inbuilt overtime and is cheaper.

I don't think you are so cool Banana head. Always spreading rubbish on here and it is always pro company. I don't know if you are posting from the crisis centre or not but maybe you should do some research before you sprout your crap.

Returned to 8 hour in Servicing 15 years ago fighting for a better 12 hour roster. They got it.

Returned to 8 hour in Perth 7 years ago fighting to prevent a 10.9 hour roster and wanted the 11.4. They got it.

Returned to 8 hour at Melbourne International 6 years ago to retain their 9.5 hour roster. They got it.

Return to 8 hour nationwide until Nassenstain, Lowrey and Filipeto are gone. You will get it and may even keep your job.

[CoolB1Banana]

I have never said the company want an 8hr roster. An extended hour 10.9 or similar would be their preference over the 44% penalties with 20th days roster domestic work now.

I'm happy to stop "spreading rubbish" on this subject anyway. Put the 8hr to a vote and it will never get up. It's a waste of breath discussing it further.

The days of the slow bake and waiting for the bodies to float down the river are over. It's a different climate company wide now. Time for different tactics and probably time for new leadership.

Drop the philosophic sh!t and get on with it.

[The masked goatrider]

That answers one of my questions about you.

[Ngineer]

http://cdn.playbuzz.com/cdn/e0bd574a-7755-4a2e-967f-61a915414ab3/fae2e48a-0962-4c23-8a58-b00c9eb04dd6.gif

[Redphantom]

Are you guys serious ? Do you really think the 4on 4 off roster as we know it is here to stay. Stop kidding yourself. An 8 hour roster is NOT playing into there hands as they can do that whenever they want. They know how unproductive it is and we should show them just that. If you are scared to vote it in your a fool for thinking things aren't going to change.

[Jet-A-One]

Rosters are going to change but why put ourselves through the pain of an 8 hour when it is not what anyone wants?

I hope the changing 380 roster isn't the only reason some people are considering voting in the 8 hour? Flexible rostering was part of the deal when they went over there.

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

Flexible rostering for 380 was only to be in place for the first 5 years. That has passed now.


I think you will find that there is a recent notice from Filipetto explaining that all rosters are under review anyway. When this happens watch them threaten all with 8 hour rosters if they don't agree to what they want. It's coming anyway.

[Redphantom]

Bring in the 8 hour and watch it fail. It won't be long before there is a new change in management to cover up the failure and ask us all to go back to extended hour rosters.

[soldier of fortune]

I can't wait to transfer to your SAM CREW coolb1banana
You are the standard BASE TYPE DEAD S..T
You comment on the terminal rostering is pathetic and ill informed
You spew crap
I bet your sitting back enjoying this - as fellow LAMES many with families and mortgages are being sacked -work colleges and friends

[Redphantom]

Well said soldier, I salute you.

[CoolB1Banana]

You can rename yourself to soldier of gear lubes if you end up on my crew buddy:D

[griffin one]

SOF and COOLB1
Divided we fall,keep in mind there are people who are being severely effected at the moment please don't start a us and them mentality.
As for rosters,DMM and foreman on a different roster compared to base crews and A380.they want to align the pillars by putting everyone on same roster.
So what roster would you actually want?
Rubber dick Tuesday.
DMM three days two nights
A380 roster
10.9 or 8 hours
One way or another the lashings will continue

[upsidefront]

Boys... the only way Ngineers post of Mr. DeVito could have been beter, is if he could put Texas Tony or NS face on it. :yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk:

His post sums it up, they are watching and :} while we argue.

Don't fight each other. Fight them.

Facts are:
They know 8 hr shifts do not work.
They know there are cheaper shifts (than 12 hr) that do work. (ie. 10.4 ect)
They know we will not vote for it.

So all they have to do:
is go to 8hr (we vote for it or they put us on it),
make a sh!t roster (like on 1 off 2 on 1 off or the like, to mess us around)
make live hell and we will vote to get away from it.

Clear heads boys, clear heads.......

Remember the REAL enemy!!!!!:mad::mad::mad:

[mahatmacoat]

They now 8 hour roster will not work. If roster not work planes sit idle. If planes sit idle management have problem not us. Coolbanana is just part of problem. Most on my crew say bring it on!!!

[Jet-A-One]

It will take months, probably over a year, to agree on a roster. Vote in the 8 hour now and have a $hit roster during that time or pull your heads in and stay on the roster you're on during the negotiations. Common sense. No one wants an 8 hour roster so why vote it in when it isn't going to achieve anything? If the only reason you want to vote in the 8 hour is to make ourselves as inefficient as possible so they will need more of us then you are insane. Are you people trying to get them to sack the lot of us? If you want to lose your job just take a VR and let the rest of us get on with it. We are orchestrating our own demise with some of your attitudes.

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

Jet A one I think you are falsely assuming that Qantas negotiate fairly and that people will be able to get on with their jobs. If we make their new half baked system work it will only bring on the next round quicker and see more job losses.


This notion that "co-operation" would be in our best interests has been tried before by the unions representing those in Engine shops.

[Sunfish]

"professionalism" is also used by Qantas against you. In my opinion, you need to behave like the CFMEU on steroids to get anywhere with QF management.

[emal140]

After the PER roster issue, MH could not get extended hour rosters back quick enough. His only mantra was 'call it whatever you want, just don't call it a 12 hour'. From then on the '12 hour' was banned in exec-speak . From a production point of view the 8 hour is the least inefficient for the company because the have to find you 40 hours of work a week, not 38. That 'extra' 2 hours is an RDO....in whatever form it comes.


What most here are forgetting is that the '12' hour became an 11.4 hour, as exec-speak mandated it. Not long after PER in ADL we went through our roster review. It is a lot better than 4on/4off although it incorporats a 8 hour day every 9 weeks. Question why the company would accept that over enforcing an eight hour. 8 hour shifts are very unproductive from a companies point of view. Do not be told anything else!

[soldier of fortune]

Keep frothing at the mouth banana brain
You will enjoy - when I serve you a plate full of **** on a b738 phase check-idiot!!!!

[griffin one]

Think you might find Texas wants the twelve hour gone as he believes nobody does any work after 4am get ready for a extended hours roster but somewhat reduced

[WrenchMonkey]

Banana you are a goose... SOF relax the fight is far from over.

[Soldier of gear lube]

When Texas Tony gets his way cool B1 you may not have a crew to give out lubes, if you don't make the cut. Then SOF will have to eat his own plate of whatever he dishes up. :{:{

[33 Disengage]

I see the cabo that gets into the carts has been in again hassling his colleagues. Happy for some of his bandits to get tapped, as long as his pockets are full.

[Nassensteins Monster]

A bunch of blokes punted out the door. Another bunch of blokes uprooted to fill the gap left by those punted. And the last few posts... Is THIS the best we can do?

[Bumpfoh]

I dont take the view that a few anonymous posters here represent the opinions or attitudes of the work force as a whole

Quite the contrary I would say!

[Ngineer]

Don't fight each other. Fight them.


Yeah, the DMM patting you on the back ATM because you lost you job maybe the same guy who was meeting with his manager a little while ago telling him how he could run the place with less men, less supervision and no overtime. Many secret meetings probably went down planning your demise.

And the B1 guy pi$$ed off at the world because he is never paid highly enough or trained enough (sorry if I offend Mr Cool Banana) will gladly tell his manager not to train any B2 guys, they are useless anyway.

The type A certifiers, they will do what they are told. They are minions caught up in this mess, and will ultimately lead to the mass cull in B1 guys (not their fault though).

So Just stand by now and watch guys running around like idiots, plugging 20 leaks with 10 fingers. The know-it-alls, the bulls at the gates and the corner cutters.

Just make sure you know who the enemy is. There are many about, and not as high up as you may think.:yuk::yuk::yuk:

There are still a few level headed men amongst us all.

[Nassensteins Monster]

Yeah, the DMM patting you on the back ATM because you lost you job maybe the same guy who was meeting with his manager a little while ago telling him how he could run the place with less men, less supervision and no overtime.

Maybe? You'd be surprised: I've heard about the business cases some of these "comrades" wrote.

A little birdy tweeted in my ear today and this little birdy has proven correct many a time. DMMs around the network will be replaced by Ops Managers within the next 9 months. You heard it here first. Mark it in your calendar.

"For they have sown the wind: and they shall reap the whirlwind." Hosea 8:7

[The Big E]

The type A certifiers, they will do what they are told. They are minions caught up in this mess, and will ultimately lead to the mass cull in B1 guys (not their fault though).

Unfortunately this Type A thing is a hangover from the EASA System, and is bull**** in its own right. If these guys are so competent and knowledgeable as they are made out to be, they should go and prove it to themselves, the Regulator, their employer, and their peers, by becoming B.1 qualified.

So Just stand by now and watch guys running around like idiots, plugging 20 leaks with 10 fingers. The know-it-alls, the bulls at the gates and the corner cutters. Just make sure you know who the enemy is. There are many about, and not as high up as you may think.

The "knowers" (who don't know what they don't know) are generally obvious by their actions, as per your description above, and these same c**k suckers are part of the enemy, as you say, for they are often operating above their station.

There are still a few level headed men amongst us all.

There certainly are, and we are also those who call a spade a shovel when the need arises. The hardest man to beat is the honest man, and the "knowers" would fall short in this area if they looked in the mirror.

Ya all have a good day now. Regards, TBE.

[limelight]

While QF is slashing, Boeing's forecast is a little different.

Boeing forecasts rising demand for commercial pilots and technicians | World Airline News (http://worldairlinenews.com/2014/07/30/boeing-forecasts-rising-demand-for-commercial-pilots-and-technicians/)

[QF22]

That article makes one feel all warm and fuzzy !
But in reality MROs and Airlines may want technicians/ LAEs, but they just want to pay peanuts for them.
Asia and Middle East will employ technicians from India and the Philippines and pay them $12/hour.
And they will employ a few LAEs to supervise them on cheap contracts.
The Golden Days of Aviation are gone !
Unfortunately !

[AEROMEDIC]

..........and you know what the result of that will be.

[Oh Me Oh My]

I have not posted for a long time as I was content for a while to ride the wave, some of my posts were about joining the exec to see what's the fuss is all about. I missed that boat twice not because I was lax but because I was scared, scared to put my hand up and yes I listened to my wife "its dangerous to get involved" she said.
Then when they announced the mass redundancies in Syd and I was headed for the door, we both cried, however the union stepped in and saved me and many others with the leave burn program two of my own work colleagues bitched about using two weeks leave. Now another year has gone by and I am targeted again this time not with loss of job but transfer to base and they head to the door accordingly their attitude has changed.
I know I am not alone and I know others have it worse but I want to say without this current exec (well some have just been elected in so the old ones) I think we would have been drowned in a bucket years ago. I am young but I am a 20 year man and I remember the old exec (some who still prosper as company puppets) they would have helped management by saving themselves.
This lot don't always do everything right, they do things ugly sometimes and yes they make mistakes but they never stop fighting, BC's doing a great job for us and I'll support them in what path they follow.

8 hour 12 hour 10 hour I don't care what I work but I do care that my mates have a job yes even the pricks who whinged and if that means 8 hour so be it after all we are here for the long haul, management are not !

[The Bungeyed Bandit]

Oh Me Oh My,

I don't see any reason for you to complain about being "targeted again with a job but transfer to base ". At least you still have a job, unlike the 20 or so guys in Base who you guys will be replacing (just don't call it "back-filling"). Getting your hands dirty aint that bad and besides, you'll probably end up being sent back to help the terminals on a daily basis like we are now anyway.

[Ngineer]

I don't see any reason for you to complain about being "targeted again with a job but transfer to base ". At least you still have a job, unlike the 20 or so guys in Base who you guys will be replacing (just don't call it "back-filling"). Getting your hands dirty aint that bad and besides, you'll probably end up being sent back to help the terminals on a daily basis like we are now anyway.

Well there's one good reason not to go to base, your attitude.

Although we can't all be gifts to engineering like yourself, I am pretty sure "Oh Me Oh My" has had his hands dirty before. And I am sure they will be bringing their work with them, not poaching yours. Get off your high horse.

[The Bungeyed Bandit]

Sorry Ngineer and Oh Me Oh My, I assure you I didn't mean to cause any offence. I don't think my attitude has anything to do with it.
The last time people were moved from the Terminal to Base they were more than welcomed by the Base guys - mind you, the majority of those moved weren't happy about it at the time.
I'm certainly not any "gift to engineering", but with the combined experience and nous of me and my colleagues, I believe we put out a excellent product. As I'm sure you guys do. So with a number of you guys on board - it should be an even better one.
As for "bringing their work with them, not poaching yours" - certainly sounds like the way the company wants it interpreted. Still sounds like back-filling to me.
I'm just saying it's not that bad in Base, especially if you've still got a job.
Just hope you don't come and take mine.

[Nassensteins Monster]

Bung Eyed Bandit. SDO also lost 18, plus 6 more that jumped before being pushed, plus another 30 redeployed, for a total of 54 out of 100 gone. A number have been reinststated at SIO but none that I know of in SDO. As usual SDO has well and truly borne the brunt.

For years SDO has been understaffed. We watched as we lost good people with the licenses we needed, fade away in countless rounds of redundancy.

For years we watched as training was cancelled due to "sufficient license coverage". Yet for years we covered the gaps with overtime and deferrals. We watched as our work was given away to Base and SIO due to "lack of license coverage" and "insufficient manpower".

We watched as they shut down the airline to prove to everyone they should have the right to manage or mismanage the airline as they see fit. And boy have they done an AMAAAAZING job on an AMAAAAZING business. For years we have waited for a reckoning. It is closer now than it has ever been, and not a moment too soon. I for one have had a gut full.

Those going to Base are perhaps the lucky ones. There isn't much left of Good Ship Domestic to cling to, and there are more squalls on the horizon. Any port in a storm.

[chockchucker]

Latest from the FEDSEC would suggest the worst maybe yet to come.....


Notice 55/2014 - All Qantas Members - Qantas Redundancy Update 31st July

Today the ALAEA were due to meet with Qantas again to discuss the failing redundancy program however the airline were unable to release all of our committee members due to lack of staff. The meeting has been postponed until next week. Some of the issues we wished to discuss with them are below.

Appeals

Around 50 ALAEA members have submitted appeals against their retrenchment. The responses have started to come back with a majority of the appeals rejected however a few members have been re-instated for varying reasons. Unfortunately the results from the appeals appear to be remarkably inconsistent, including people being awarded points at a late stage because they were given verbal promises of future training with others not receiving any points for licenses they are being paid for because they are not on EQ.

Part Timers in Sydney have also all been re-instated. We are unsure of the consequences of the reappointments and suspect Qantas will advise us of a new safety line after the appeals have concluded.

Transition Centre Jobs

As part of the requirements of the Workplace Determination (your EBA), Qantas have set up a career transition center to assist staff that have been targeted. Through various letters from the airline they have reminded us how helpful the place has been. This again is another Qantas lie. An example is Jetstar jobs for LAMEs have been advertised within the center but when our members have gone to apply for the positions they have been told that Qantas staff were ineligible to apply.

Court Case Preparation

Plans are well underway to submit an application with the Federal Court over various provisions in the Workplace Determination that we say have not been met by the airline as part of this process. We have engaged our usual Legal firm Maurice Blackburn and two Barristers who are putting the case together. It is a massive task for all involved and further info will be shared when the case has been submitted.

A380 Delays

All along we have been advising Qantas that the managers working on this axe-wielding exercise are unable to even count the number of staff they have. As a result the work will build up to a point that the backlog of tasks required to keep the planes airworthy will surpass the manpower and time they have available. Despite a massive effort put in by the A380 crews in Sydney, yesterday’s QF11 to Lax departed four hours late due to lack of manpower. Today’s QF11 aircraft has now been pushed out 7 ½ hours with a scheduled engine change underway but the A check and most OSIP work deferred. Because of the delays, ground time in Lax is now limited so it is unlikely they will be able to use crew Nair to catch up on the backlog. The situation will only deteriorate when all of the targeted retrenchments are implemented.

Sydney Adhoc Staff Transfers

Because the airline have sacked too many staff at Sydney Domestic, A380 staff are being transferred to Domestic on a daily basis to cover the shortfalls there. We suspect that the latest big 380 delays will be the catalyst for a number of management ‘arse covering’ meetings and ultimately result in less daily transfers.

If your section’s shortfall has been covered by people from other departments and they are no longer assisting, it does not mean that you run between jobs to help the managers cover up their mistakes. Please just go about your duties as you normally would, safely, diligently and fully compliant. If that means aircraft are delayed, so be it. It may just be the message Alan Joyce needs to realize that the managers he has appointed don’t think like Qantas Engineers should.

Perth and Brisbane

Our members in Brisbane and Perth have been spared the wrath of compulsory retrenchments at this stage. Your turn is coming. Members are reporting off the cuff comments made by ops managers about the next round of changes that the airline has planned. Today, Qantas are loading up Brisbane and Perth with a vast range of additional work that would have otherwise have been conducted in the ports were our members are being tapped. Members in Perth and Brisbane should be aware that, however you can provide it, your fellow Sydney and Melbourne LAMEs need your support. Please assist wherever you can if you receive a call from them.

Sydney International Supervisors

I think our SIT brothers know that one of the little projects they have planned is to eliminate Supervisors and ultimately DMM positions at the Terminal. We are hearing reports that staff shortages on the shop floor are being backfilled by Supervisors who are being directed to carry out the tasks that normally would have been done by LAMEs. Members are advised that they should follow all lawful directions and being directed to act as a LAME may be one of them.

When you are asked to do this though, it may be wise to highlight to the person directing you that if your role is temporarily vacated, that it should be backfilled. If the role is not backfilled, please do not attempt to try and complete your functions and that of a LAME at the same time. If the airline see this doubling up of tasks it will only add to the justification they will use down the track to say that the Supervisor position is superfluous to requirements.

Cutting Corners

Many of the changes you are seeing today were tried when Chris Nassenstein was at Air New Zealand. After his departure most were quickly reversed because they did not work. Qantas will be relying on you to turn a blind eye to things you know are incorrect or defective. Management will be placing you under pressure to cut corners because if this system fails, it is their job on the line instead of yours.

We know and expect our members to keep everything professional. This means doing everything properly and reporting any manager who places you under undue pressure to bend the rules. If you ever find yourself in this position, or without appropriate tooling, access to manuals, an Engineering Authority or other approved data that may be required to complete a job, do not proceed until you can meet the strict requirements of the relevant company policy. It is illegal to depart an aircraft on the assumption that the loose ends can be cleaned up later.



Steve Purvinas

Federal Secretary

[chockchucker]

.....and the now familiar reply from Texas Tony....


There is a lot going on across Maintenance Operations this week, but before I come to that, I wanted to call out some of the great efforts of our people.

Firstly I want to thank the London LMO team. VH- OQI arrived from Dubai recently with a number of issues to contend with. The team set out to source and replace parts and then work with Rolls Royce to carry out the necessary inspections. Their efforts saw the aircraft ready for its next service the following evening and avoided any disruption to our passengers. Special thanks go to LAMEs Jonny Foyle, Graham Calderwood and the rest of the LHR team, also Rob Marsano and Brian Taylor from MOC. Excellent work by all involved.

Next I would like to recognise the SAM folks who ‘rescued’ QF 1 from a major delay on 19 July. When the aircraft was due to leave the door was proving difficult to shut correctly and was indicating open even though the door was latched and closed. The SAM team identified the fault and ordered the necessary parts. The crews then worked together to rescue the flight with the least amount of disruption to an aircraft full of passengers. The defect was fully assessed and rectified with QF1 pushing back at 2036 giving the Tech crew a much needed buffer for their duty requirements and our engineers a great sense of accomplishment. A big thank you to the Engineers of SAM, and all of the areas supporting them: Paul Blanksby, Rob Paull, Senad Kacanic, Andrew Jopling, Paul Heath, Fabian Mueller, Chris Robinson, Traj Cvetanovski, Mick Webb, Mo Khan, Jarrad Rust, Steve Byra, Ryan Leech, Vince Romeo, Brian Taylor, Matt Anderson and Jon Ludlow.

As I said, this week has seen a lot of change happening across LMO in particular, but it’s great to see that even in these time of change, with lots of moving parts, our people are still delivering some amazing results. We have Best in Class OTP and a service to our customers that is second to none.

On Tuesday we started the process of letting some of the LAMEs in the Sydney terminals know that they would need to transfer to SAM. We also published the latest version of the selection criteria for AMEs and the indicative points required to retain a position in each area. I know our AMEs would like to get to a point of certainty as soon as possible and I hope this now gives them some further clarity on where they might sit and what options they might want to consider.

This week we had a phone conference with the Alliance unions to bring them up to date on the latest EOI and mitigations, and respond to some of the issues and questions they raised. There has been some movement and right now there are still 50 positions of remaining overcapacity but some 56 job opportunities in both Brisbane Base Maintenance and Perth. Your Port and Ops Managers will be sharing this same information at your next tool box. Our next meeting has been set for Friday 8 August.

We didn’t meet with the ALAEA this week due to our ability to release one Melbourne delegate. I have read their latest members notice and admit to a profound disappointment. My reading into this letter is a desire by the ALAEA Federal Secretary to continue to perpetuate an environment of fear and uncertainty for our people. This is totally unnecessary and is a ploy to keep an air of conflict in play.

He may continue to speculate on what changes might be around the corner, but I have no plans apart from bedding down the Line Maintenance Operating model on which we have been consulting for over five months in good faith. While I can’t guarantee what might change in the world around us and how we may need to address these changes, I can say once we have addressed this current level of overcapacity in Line Maintenance, these types of major step changes should be behind us.

What we are going through right now in LMO is a result of no change being made to the business over the last ten years. Fleet have come and gone, maintenance practices have changed, our network has adapted to the market, and our aircraft don’t need the same maintenance as they did ten years ago. It’s left us playing catch up. Catch up to our own maintenance needs, the manufacturer requirements, our network footprint, the industry and our competitors.

In making any decision about our business I weigh up three things. Does it lower our cost and return value? Does it improve operations and help the customer? and is it a benefit for our people? My ultimate goal is to ensure these things are always in balance so I can protect jobs and create a very strong future for Qantas Engineering. Unlike the Federal Secretary of the ALAEA who trades in fear and rhetoric and bears no allegiance to Qantas, his distorted views only serve to unsettle people even more. I hold a view that our engineers come to work each day to do a good job for Qantas. They want to see Qantas successful and in turn secure their future. My responsibility is to keep this the best LMO business it can be with the best engineers working safely and securely within it. I ask you to keep this balance within your thoughts going forward.

I want to get to a point where adjustments to our business are ongoing without the need for any major announcements or cutbacks. Any adjustments we need to make in the future should be managed naturally, gradually and comfortably through attrition, retirement, promotion and other processes. We do need to work together to get to this point.

I know you all come to work each day to do a great job for the airline and for your customers. This really shows in the results we are seeing and the fact that I am never short of good news to recognise in my weekly updates.

Thank you for all you do.

Be Safe

Tony



What say you in reply to that drivel FEDSEC?

[600ft-lb]

He may continue to speculate on what changes might be around the corner, but I have no plans apart from bedding down the Line Maintenance Operating model on which we have been consulting for over five months in good faith. While I can’t guarantee what might change in the world around us and how we may need to address these changes, I can say once we have addressed this current level of overcapacity in Line Maintenance, these types of major step changes should be behind us.

wait for the next bad results due to wrong fleet/strategy and justification to sack another 50% of the engineers and send the heavy maint offshore totally.

"qantas check 1 and check 2 services pty ltd" will be the new lmo

[bugged on the right]

I read the management clown's response above and thought he had learned something but there it was, almost at the end. 'Going forward'. They just can't resist saying it. I wish you all well in this but am so disappointed that Qantas's management are running what was the best and safest airline into the ground. I hope not literally. Wherever I was in the world, the moment I stepped aboard a Qantas aircraft, I was at home, on Australian territory. I knew I was in good, safe hands. All gone now and it is because of greedy, self absorbed, unaccountable management with some sort of destructive agenda.

[Sunfish]

....and the message to all Qantas passengers is that Qantas is now an unreliable airline.

[Romulus]

Not buying that Sunny, I'm off on QF1 tomorrow and I'm not expecting any unreliability. Tickets bought and paid for by myself, will do the points upgrade thing and have a nice holiday.

I expect to depart and arrive on time, equally I accept sometimes things don't work like that so I'll just adapt to anything that happens. QF seem no better or worse than any other top tier airline in this regard, never have, never will.

[Sunfish]

Good luck Romulus, stay away from Ukraine!

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

I've said before that this Texas Tony guy will say anything. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story -

What we are going through right now in LMO is a result of no change being made to the business over the last ten years.

What about MOD, you know that change that no longer had us checking aircraft each transit that led to the reduction of 98 positions??

No change in last ten years?? What about all the customers you ditched. The ones that used to pay the majority of our wages??

....and I seem to recall something that happened to me in LMO 7 years ago...that's right I was made redundant.

Maybe some of you can understand why we don't believe much of the horse crap they feed us in consultation.

[Oh Me Oh My]

I am not 'complaining' merely stating, we are all under the pump and it will never stop under this present regime unless we as members stand up.

[PIOT Bord]

With QE Ops managers changing from night shifts and doubling up on day shift, it looks like today could be the day that the on going, planned destruction of Qantas' engineering capabilities will take another step. I've been wrong before and I hope I am wrong again but QE AMEs need to look over their shoulder today - BEWARE THE TAPPER!

[The Bungeyed Bandit]

The Base guys have gotta ask themselves, is Jonno back from holidays?

[chockchucker]

Looks like the AME's turn today.......


Qantas creeps forward with engineering job cuts

Jamie Freed
Published: August 5, 2014 - 11:43AM

Qantas has cut another 97 jobs in its engineering department as part of its broader program of 5000 job losses over three years.

The airline on Tuesday told 47 aircraft maintenance engineers in Sydney and Melbourne that their roles were redundant, although it has offered them the opportunity to apply for an equal number of vacant roles in Brisbane and Perth if they are willing to relocate.

Qantas has more demand for work in its Brisbane and Perth maintenance hangars than in Sydney and Melbourne as part of a broader restructure of its engineering department.

It also has less work in total as it retires ageing 767 and 747 aircraft.

Modern aircraft require less maintenance than older aircraft.

The airline has also told employees in engineering planning, administration and support that it plans to cut 50 positions in those areas. In the first instance, it will offer voluntary redundancies to mitigate the need for compulsory redundancies.

“We’ve been saying for some time that our engineering workload is reducing as we continue to retire older aircraft and introduce new aircraft which require less maintenance,” a Qantas spokeswoman said.

“The simple fact is we need fewer engineering employees as the workload reduces.”

In February, Qantas announced it would cut 300 line maintenance roles from both licensed aircraft maintenance engineers and aircraft maintenance engineers.

However, the airline said it had worked with employees and unions to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies through voluntary redundancies, job swaps and redeployment to other parts of the airline to offset the number of compulsory redundancies by 50.

This story was found at: Qantas creeps forward with engineering job cuts (http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-creeps-forward-with-engineering-job-cuts-20140805-100j9f.html)


Mainstream media still regurgitating the qantas drivel about newer aircraft needing less maintenance.

Guess what folks, they don't stay new for very long.:ugh:

[chockchucker]

Makes it official...:(


Following five months of consultation, today the Sydney and Melbourne Port Managers have started notifying AMEs who are impacted by the changes we announced in February. They are meeting with their people one-on-one to explain the options available, and offer them career transition services. We are fortunate to have mitigated any impact to the Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney International and Melbourne tarmac teams through voluntary redundancy or relocation.
Given the upcoming workload in Brisbane Base Maintenance, and some EOIs in Perth, there are positions available for almost every AME affected by these changes. There are 47 impacted positions, and 56 positions available.
I know it’s a difficult decision to uproot your family and move to another state, but I really do hope anyone impacted gives these opportunities their full consideration. In this type of specialised industry, jobs may not always be available where we want them to be. While initially hesitant, I know a number of people who were affected by the Tulla closure are now settled and enjoying life in Queensland, as part of the Base Maintenance Team.
We don’t want to lose any of the skill or expertise we have in LMO. Keeping people when we do have work and jobs available for them is an absolute priority.
I expect notification will continue over the next week or so, as we make contact with everyone who isn’t on shift today. We will try to move through this process as quickly as we can so we can start to bring more stability and certainty to our people.
I know the last five months have been difficult, but the way you have dealt with these challenges and kept the operation running on time for our customers is something you can be really proud of. I’ll be out to visit everyone shortly, so please take care of each other and talk to your leader if you have any questions in the meantime.
Thanks for all you do.

Be Safe
Tony

[the_company_spy]

"Modern aircraft require less maintenance than older aircraft."

Bull****. That is spin and an outright lie.

[Kiwiconehead]

Bull****. That is spin and an outright lie.

Agreed

Modern aircraft are smarter, more integrated, and have in depth on board maintenance systems.

As a result, they tell you every tiny little thing that is wrong with themselves, then petulantly sit there displaying some EICAS or the like message that means you can't dispatch until you clear the message, perform the FIM task to check it has gone, do an RTS.

The older aircraft might have been steam driven, but they didn't throw their toys out every time a widget farted the wrong way.

[Ngineer]

"Modern aircraft require less maintenance than older aircraft."

I think it would be better phrased as "our regulator require's less maintenance on aircraft".

Each old aircraft bears similarities with their replacements in regards to maintenance requirements in a line environment. IE; the 380 vs 747-400, and the 330 vs 767, and their reliability/maint demand. You could probably argue successfully that the newer types do drain more manhours during turnarounds.

What has changed though, is the maintenance procedures and certification privileges required to keep these aircraft operating in this day and age. The requirements seem to have become less stringent IMHO.

[V-Jet]

From reading the pilots thread, it looks like their ship is sorted.

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." - Winston Churchill

[CAR42ZE]

I think it would be better phrased as "our regulator require's less maintenance on aircraft".


I'm not too sure how much sway poor old CASA has in what goes into chapters 4 and 5 of the Boeing and Airbus manuals.

[indamiddle]

Hi Eshlon,
Bosses wanted 400 qal ( expensive ) to go.
Only 240 took the package.
So far only a few have been let go.
A lot more of them busting a gut to get out. Emotionally, most of them have already left. Very happy no matter what is happening on the plane. Fun to watch them, maybe I am a little jealous as I have a while to go before departure.

[bandit2]

Why have people who still haven't completed the postponed 737-800 full B1 course been awarded the full 737 points plus the 20% bonus? Recommencement date still to be confirmed. If it is to recommence at all. Yet people with valid 737 licenses are being transferred to SAM from the SIT.

[chockchucker]

More from the smiling assassin......


The Base Maintenance team have been busy this week supporting both their internal and external customers in AOG events. Externally I’d like to recognise their great work in helping out both AAE and Qantas Link with their AOG aircraft. From an internal perspective their efforts in completing the in service mods on VH-VZL earlier than planned, freed up the aircraft to then support our own AOG disruption. In addition to this they also completed the first A330 QStreaming fit out. The aircraft is now back in service and I’m sure it’s generating a good reaction from our customers.

As part of our ongoing effort to return and generate value for the airline, a project is underway to increase utilisation of the A380 from 13 hours to 14 hours per day. The project team involved in working through the transit requirement includes people from Melbourne, Sydney, Customer Experience, London and Los Angeles. They have started their analysis and will work together with Supply Chain to create a proactive parts supply that ensures OTP is maintained and workload is managed to achieve the transit times. Our work on improving utilisation as well as the other smart things we are doing to optimise our network has enabled us to offer more services at the times and places our customers want fly, and will support the launch of A380 services to Dallas six days a week from October. This new challenge will require MEL to turn the aircraft in 2 hours every time without room for delay and for ports like SYD, LAX and London to maintain the Fleet health during its natural ground time. Knowing the folks we have in these ports I am confident Engineering will not let our customer down!

One correction to last week’s update, I failed to acknowledge the key role the A380 S21 crew played in identifying the defect, staying over shift and providing a precise handover which minimised the delay. Thanks to them for the excellent customer service and dedication.

In terms of consultation this week, we met with both the ALAEA and the Alliance unions. Both meetings were used to provide an update on the EOI and mitigation progress, appeals and remaining job opportunities. Our next ALAEA meeting will be held on Friday 15 August.

A few weeks ago now I talked in detail about overtime and the fact that it will always be a feature of a healthy staffing model in a dynamic working environment. I know there are certain views on overtime and it’s perceived connection to the integrity of our workforce modelling. I just wanted to add some further thoughts to this. Lately we’ve used overtime to help get the operation back in balance as crews have been unevenly impacted by people leaving or transferring to other roles. But as you know overtime is also used to cover things that are unexpected and infrequent such as AOG aircraft, or excessive sick calls. More importantly we do try hard to allow folks to use their leave when all slots are taken and a family matter arises, like a child’s sporting events, weddings and funerals. At these times we try hard to balance our employees’ needs, operational requirements and cost by choosing to cover these events with OT. I want to thank those that have stepped up to cover for their fellow employees or to protect the operation. These actions show the pride and brand that Qantas Engineering has in our craft and the care we have for each other. We are all working hard to secure a future for Qantas and Engineering. Working together we can achieve any anything.

Finally, I want to recognise one of our long serving employees who leaves us this week to pursue an external opportunity. David Kelly started in Qantas 1984 as a Structures engineer and has since held a variety of roles in QE including Senior Technical rep in Seattle, General Manager Fleet Planning, Head of Aircraft Commercial Projects, Group General Manager Technical Services and Program Director for Marlin. Most recently David joined my leadership team managing the safety and risk function for QE. I would like to sincerely thank David for his professional and dedicated approach throughout his many years serving the airline. On behalf of everyone in QE, I wish David all the very best for the future.

Thanks for all you do.

Be Safe

Tony


Words fail me. Just pass a bucket please. :mad:

[going postal]

can I please add to the bucket, chockchucker! :mad:

[Redstone]

Bandit2, I thought the company said only quals current in eQ as of cut off date would be used to calculate matrix points.
If what you are saying is true, then every single CR at the SIT should be successfully appealed.
This whole process is a joke badly told.

[Ngineer]

Why have people who still haven't completed the postponed 737-800 full B1 course been awarded the full 737 points plus the 20% bonus?

Surely you can't be serious?

[bandit2]

Sorry, but I am dead serious!!

[engine overspeed]

While you are on the subject bandit2, there are two other individuals that have
been reinstated. Namely the two pts which have zero points, have never signed for an aircraft or make log entries, sit in the corner drink cups of coffee and
eat bananas and are only capable of tow and stow ... go figure that one...
are these the type of engineers that the company wants.

[griffin one]

Must have been alot of staff at funerals, sporting events and weddings today.Overtime SMS running hot.
How many stepping up after Texas feel good email?

[The Bungeyed Bandit]

I'm sure there'll be a couple who'll slither out from the rocks they're hiding under.

[Bad Adventures]

Bring it on! Love a good bit of O/T! :)

[The Bungeyed Bandit]

Especially when you come and do O/T on a crew that has one guy on that crew coming in to get his notice the same day.

[Soldier of gear lube]

We had that situation this week, the guy filling in was very pleased with himself that he was getting the extra work, when he was introduced to the guy he was replacing he did not bat an eyelid

[The Bungeyed Bandit]

Yeah, well this guy wasn't game enough to show his face at smoko when the guy getting the arse was having a last social visit.

[PIOT Bord]

Then there is the guy who has been avoiding the tapper all week but just can't so no to a bit of O/T. Who is waiting for him to walk through the gate...


I'm sure in TT's latest letter it explains how somebody can be both redundant and required to work due to a lack of engineers at the same time. Unfortunately for him, he won't be working O/T again for QE.

[chockchucker]

Slightly off topic however, the next time FEDSEC or anybody else is confronted by Alan Joyce, Chris Nassenstein, or Tony Lowry with the observation that Australian maintenance standards are not superior to those off shore, could they please refer to the following....


I have been including stories about the good things we do here in Maintenance Operations and highlighting our great People and Teams. This week I wanted to share with you something that really demonstrates the talent we have and that our vision is being realised. Our mission and vision hasn’t changed over the last four years and everything we do is aimed at us becoming a best in class maintenance organisation, where others look to us to define best practice. We have a history of defining best practice – our ETOPs procedure is something we developed and is now used by airlines around the world, and so is our NDT scribe mark process.

The team in Brisbane Base recently added to this list of engineering accolades, and again made our vision become reality. They got a call from Boeing engineering who asked whether they could bring a North American MRO into the facility to learn how they work. This came as a result of a world-wide modification that Boeing applied to the B737 Horizontal Stabiliser skin. The light weight structure of the stabiliser has seen many MROs damage the structure during the dismantling process – but not so in Brisbane. They have accomplished 28 skin replacements with little to no damage reported. This is true Service Quality in motion and a result of the skill of our people, aircraft day to day management, and Technical Support teams working so well together to complete such a complex task.

I am incredibly proud of the Brisbane Base folks. The effort they have made to improve their performance over the last 12 months is nothing short of amazing. They have increased their productivity, decreased their turn times, reduced their line slippage, have fewer injuries and fewer sick days per person. Their engagement is at an all-time high and the results are speaking for themselves. Two years ago we didn’t have Fiji airways asking us to repair their aircraft, we weren’t bidding on a multi-million dollar third party contract, and we didn’t have OEMs knocking on our door to see how we do things. We are becoming a competitive and attractive business in the eyes of our customers, and it is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of our talented BM team.

I also wanted to talk this week about the amount of emails you are having to sift through each day. It was something raised with me at a recent leadership program and it’s something I’m passionate about addressing. I’m told each day you receive - maintenance memos on all fleet types, quality bulletins, notification of local quality alerts, EQ notifications on training and qualifications as well as general corporate and engineering communication. I know you are frustrated with the time required to find the things that are actually relevant to the work you are doing, and can often delete the things you do need. I’ve asked Alex Parpaiola to help reduce this burden and do some filtering and categorisation of the volumes of information being set to your inbox. In the future I envision all you will receive from us is – mandatory read and signs that are relevant to you, required Quality Bulletins relevant to you, and communications from myself and your Leaders. I’m also told you sometimes miss my updates in the flood of other emails, and would like to access past updates to read when you have time. I’ve now set up library of my previous updates dating back to when we first started transforming the business in 2012.

Finally, I wanted to recognise two of our people in BNE Base Maintenance – Tai Johnsen and Rachel Dudok who were nominees at the recent Annual Metropolitan Region Awards for Queensland Training. Tai was one of three finalists for the apprentice of the year award, and Rachel won Vocational Student of the Year and now competes as a state finalist. Congratulations Tai and Rachel and thank you for showcasing what ‘Best in Class’ Qantas Engineering means to the rest of the industry.

Thanks for all you do.

Be Safe

Tony

It is a credit to the hard working people in Brisbane heavy maintenance (that also comprise within their ranks people that brought with them vast 737 experience from the now closed Melbourne heavy maintenance) that even the OEM is coming to see how we do things here.

Bean counters will never admit that quality never comes cheap though.

[Bagus]

This is what TL says before shutting down Tulla and Avalon.You are the best.This is a kind of FEAR that management use these days, give u hope and then screw you. :D:D:D

[domo]

They are trying to relocate the tapped AME's to Brisbane base, so talking up the place makes sense

[Clipped]

Their engagement is at an all-time high

Incredible.

How was this metric measured? Must be one of TL's KPI's. For the guys up their in Brissy, I'm happy that you are, coz the feeling elsewhere is very, very different.

Shameless spin from a very predictable mismanagement, methinks.

Remember comments from Nasty, previously and often, were 'We do not have exclusivity on quality' or words to that effect. CN wasted no opportunity to put us down and now TL has swung it the other way round by praising stuff we all having been doing for the last decade under very trying circumstances. Sigh.

[Propstop]

The "good cop" and "bad cop" is the oldest trick in the book. It just takes your attention away whilst you are bent over and pineappled without lube.

[Arnold E]

I have been including stories about the good things we do here in Maintenance Operations and highlighting our great People and Teams. This week I wanted to share with you something that really demonstrates the talent we have and that our vision is being realised. Our mission and vision hasn’t changed over the last four years and everything we do is aimed at us becoming a best in class maintenance organisation, where others look to us to define best practice. We have a history of defining best practice – our ETOPs procedure is something we developed and is now used by airlines around the world, and so is our NDT scribe mark process.

The team in Brisbane Base recently added to this list of engineering accolades, and again made our vision become reality. They got a call from Boeing engineering who asked whether they could bring a North American MRO into the facility to learn how they work. This came as a result of a world-wide modification that Boeing applied to the B737 Horizontal Stabiliser skin. The light weight structure of the stabiliser has seen many MROs damage the structure during the dismantling process – but not so in Brisbane. They have accomplished 28 skin replacements with little to no damage reported. This is true Service Quality in motion and a result of the skill of our people, aircraft day to day management, and Technical Support teams working so well together to complete such a complex task.

I am incredibly proud of the Brisbane Base folks. The effort they have made to improve their performance over the last 12 months is nothing short of amazing. They have increased their productivity, decreased their turn times, reduced their line slippage, have fewer injuries and fewer sick days per person. Their engagement is at an all-time high and the results are speaking for themselves. Two years ago we didn’t have Fiji airways asking us to repair their aircraft, we weren’t bidding on a multi-million dollar third party contract, and we didn’t have OEMs knocking on our door to see how we do things. We are becoming a competitive and attractive business in the eyes of our customers, and it is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of our talented BM team.

I also wanted to talk this week about the amount of emails you are having to sift through each day. It was something raised with me at a recent leadership program and it’s something I’m passionate about addressing. I’m told each day you receive - maintenance memos on all fleet types, quality bulletins, notification of local quality alerts, EQ notifications on training and qualifications as well as general corporate and engineering communication. I know you are frustrated with the time required to find the things that are actually relevant to the work you are doing, and can often delete the things you do need. I’ve asked Alex Parpaiola to help reduce this burden and do some filtering and categorisation of the volumes of information being set to your inbox. In the future I envision all you will receive from us is – mandatory read and signs that are relevant to you, required Quality Bulletins relevant to you, and communications from myself and your Leaders. I’m also told you sometimes miss my updates in the flood of other emails, and would like to access past updates to read when you have time. I’ve now set up library of my previous updates dating back to when we first started transforming the business in 2012.

Finally, I wanted to recognise two of our people in BNE Base Maintenance – Tai Johnsen and Rachel Dudok who were nominees at the recent Annual Metropolitan Region Awards for Queensland Training. Tai was one of three finalists for the apprentice of the year award, and Rachel won Vocational Student of the Year and now competes as a state finalist. Congratulations Tai and Rachel and thank you for showcasing what ‘Best in Class’ Qantas Engineering means to the rest of the industry.

Thanks for all you do.

Be Safe

Looks like another round of sackings comming, hold on to you hats fellas.:{

[Gas Bags]

If you're honest with yourself, you will realise that QF engineers in Australia were the best trained, and had the highest standard in following operational procedures. They may not have been the most diversified in a lot of areas, or may not be the best trouble shooters. But, when all said and done they follow the rules of certification and procedures more than most other Australian LAMEs.




HaaaaaHaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHaaaHaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaa.........Oh wait.....he is serious!!!

[Redpanda]

Sounds like Brissy is about to be named the new 'Centre of Excellence'..........

[Goddamnslacker]

Getting back on topic, is the Union chasing the so called "Points" Criteria, the one where it was stated only info on Eq would be utilised as of the 28 Feb and yet they are now counting training to people, who havent even commenced it yet but been promised! If it isnt on Eq then it doesnt count!
Either make it 100% fair or at least admit its being changed to suit!
Take about corrupt...its either cut and dried or it totally being manipulated!

[king spotter]

The Union isn't chasing it up.

[SRM]

[QUOTE][But, when all said and done they follow the rules of certification and procedures more than most other Australian LAMEs.]

Just exactly what LAME's are you talking about ?

[Rageplus1]

The Engineers we are talking about are those who completed the exclusion training in preparation for a full 737 B1/B2 type course. Unfortunetly the 737 type course got post poned till early August, due to QF`s current restructure
There is still no definite recommencement date for the course. YET, miraculously these people were awarded full 737 plus the 20% B1/B2 points IAW the points table. Thats approx 600 points for a license they still haven`t completed the course for, passed the course, gained the reqd pratical hours for, a license that still hasn`t been approved for by CASA & a license that isn`t on EQ.
Meanwhile people with valid 737 license`s & people who would otherwise be above the wannabe 737 Engineer`s on the almighty points table, are being shuffled to SAM due to Qantas Engineering`s current wrath of mismanagement.

[CoolB1Banana]

The "postponed" 737NG course will never happen. Mark my words.

[king spotter]

..... Let's pretend this training will go ahead...... Where will these guys go to find their practical? SAM.

[ALAEA Fed Sec]

The union is chasing the points/Eq stuff up.


Firstly it was the case that the company had said that promised training would count towards points. The statement about Eq points only as per that locked in on Feb 28 is incorrect.


The problem we are encountering is this. Some people have been credited with "promised' training to save their ass, even when they weren't even qualified to carry out the make believe training the company has said these people were promised. On the other hand, others who have been given their marching orders had completed company training and not yet picked up the licence and were not credited with points. I have instructed Gary in our office to prepare a Fair Work Commission case regarding these discrepancies.


Aside from that we have now lodged the primary case in the Federal Court against Qantas for them failing to consult in accordance with the Workplace Determination. My 700 page affidavit was submitted at 4PM yesterday.