NJS in court on Monday, then Industrial Action next month....
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Living next door to Alan
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the Australian:
A PERTH pilot who refused tosign an Australian Workplace Agreement was told in writing by his bosses that his decision was untenable, the Federal Magistrates Court heard yesterday.
The Workplace Ombudsman is alleging that National Jet Systems, Australia's largest supplier of contracted air services, breached its obligations under the post-Work Choices Workplace Relations Act in two ways.
Barrister for the ombudsman Richard Hooker is claiming the company applied duress to pilots Lyndon Kruger and Andrew King during the AWA negotiations and failed to pay them and 31 of their colleagues an agreed CPI increase from July 1 last year.
The pilots are in turn being sued by the Adelaide-based company for breach of contract as a result of their refusal to sign the AWAs put to them in 2005.
National Jet Systems is expected to detail its claim this week that the pair breached an undertaking that they would sign the AWAs, which The Australian understands included a clause stipulating that each pilot would contribute $15,000 towards their training.
The amount could be refunded after three or four years.
In his opening address, counsel for the Workplace Ombudsman claimed National Jet Systems's actions were designed to affect the free will of Mr King and Mr Kruger. "Mr Kruger was informed by letter that the decision not to sign up was both 'disappointing and untenable'," Mr Hooker said.
Mr King and Mr Kruger are being represented by their own lawyer at the hearing.
National Jet Systems operates all Qantas Link flights, and flies throughout Australasia, including to Christmas Island and Cocos-Keeling islands.
The company provides fly-in, fly-out personnel transport services for resource companies in Western Australia and South Australia and air freight services for express freight provider Australian Air Express.
It has 28 aircraft and employs about 800 people.
In July, the Transport Workers Union claimed to have signed up 100 pilots as new members as a result of the stoush over AWAs.
The hearing, which is expected to last five days, continues in Perth today.
The Workplace Ombudsman is alleging that National Jet Systems, Australia's largest supplier of contracted air services, breached its obligations under the post-Work Choices Workplace Relations Act in two ways.
Barrister for the ombudsman Richard Hooker is claiming the company applied duress to pilots Lyndon Kruger and Andrew King during the AWA negotiations and failed to pay them and 31 of their colleagues an agreed CPI increase from July 1 last year.
The pilots are in turn being sued by the Adelaide-based company for breach of contract as a result of their refusal to sign the AWAs put to them in 2005.
National Jet Systems is expected to detail its claim this week that the pair breached an undertaking that they would sign the AWAs, which The Australian understands included a clause stipulating that each pilot would contribute $15,000 towards their training.
The amount could be refunded after three or four years.
In his opening address, counsel for the Workplace Ombudsman claimed National Jet Systems's actions were designed to affect the free will of Mr King and Mr Kruger. "Mr Kruger was informed by letter that the decision not to sign up was both 'disappointing and untenable'," Mr Hooker said.
Mr King and Mr Kruger are being represented by their own lawyer at the hearing.
National Jet Systems operates all Qantas Link flights, and flies throughout Australasia, including to Christmas Island and Cocos-Keeling islands.
The company provides fly-in, fly-out personnel transport services for resource companies in Western Australia and South Australia and air freight services for express freight provider Australian Air Express.
It has 28 aircraft and employs about 800 people.
In July, the Transport Workers Union claimed to have signed up 100 pilots as new members as a result of the stoush over AWAs.
The hearing, which is expected to last five days, continues in Perth today.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Australia
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Owen Stanley
Well done!
Here are two guys that are demonstrating discipline, resolve, and sticking to principles of fair play. We all would like to think that we would do the same. Unfortunately history shows that many falter when the pressure is applied.
I second the "well done!"
ITCZ their names are already mentioned in the article above Owen Stanleys post.
Best of luck to the two pilots involved. You set a good example for the rest of us.
AFAP
Best of luck to the two pilots involved. You set a good example for the rest of us.
AFAP
TWU Christmas Party
Hey I heard a rumour that at this years TWU Christmas Party, The executive will be awarding NJS with the "Number 1 Recruiter" trophy for '07 due to their stellar efforts in encouraging such a large number of people to sign up to the TWU... Congrats to all at NJS that lent a hand in convincing the pilots to join up! I wonder if they will receive any commissions.... perhaps some TWU caps and jackets might be appropriate?
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Australia
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No final outcome, it only got as far as hearing the first witness (Kerren Crossthwaite, OWS), then it was adjourned. Counsel for NJS wanted more time to wade through all the evidence the OWS produced!
Last edited by ITCZ; 20th Oct 2007 at 04:49.
Does anyone know the final outcome of the court case ?
and even he won't really know until April now.
Counsel for NJS wanted more time to wade through all the evidence the OWS produced!
Maybe NJS/COBHAM should get out of aviation and just employ legal people?
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Bolak
Age: 59
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Uh Oh
NJS's counsel tried to get some evidence bounced, overplayed the shot and forced the adjournment. Whoops.
More law firm money required, more Pilot dissatisfaction, more pressure on the brass.
Steady stream of resignations.
Time to start back pedalling or there will be NO Future on the Horizon.
More law firm money required, more Pilot dissatisfaction, more pressure on the brass.
Steady stream of resignations.
Time to start back pedalling or there will be NO Future on the Horizon.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Australia
Age: 73
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NJS Management W##kers
well reading this thread i can now see why NJS is the only company in the west "SHRINKING" like an old mans genitalia, with the mining boom and all those f100's and 737's making their way there with all the opposition air operators. Goood luck with the court case 
