Appalling Qantas Decision
Thread Starter
Appalling Qantas Decision
This has to be one of Qantas' worst decisions. All PPRUNERs and fellow travellers are encouraged to let Alan Joyce know what they think.
From the Sydney Morning Herald
From the Sydney Morning Herald
Qantas queried on taking jobs off disabled workers
ANDREW HEASLEY, AVIATION REPORTER
December 18, 2009
QANTAS contracted packaging work to cheap prison labour at the expense of a company that employs disabled people.
After a retendering process, Qantas contracted the work — sealing earphones in plastic bags — to the NSW Department of Corrective Services, rather than its long-time contractor, Sunnyfield, which employs disabled people.
"We undertook a review with all our [packaging] services in NSW," said a Qantas spokeswoman. "Sunnyfield was not successful in this process and the work went to Corrective Services."
The Federal Government's parliamentary secretary for disabilities, Bill Shorten, said he had made inquiries with Qantas over the matter.
The Corrections Department was now subcontracting the work back to Sunnyfield.
"I'm satisfied Qantas is doing everything it can for people with disabilities," Mr Shorten said.
News of the about-turn came on the day Mr Shorten met Jetstar over its treatment of disabled passengers, after complaints were publicised.
Paralympian Kurt Fearnley hauled himself on his hands through the terminal rather than use a Jetstar wheelchair that he could not wheel independently and a Melbourne blind couple, Kathryn Beaton and Glen Bracegirdle, were refused a booking to Sydney because of her guide dog.
Yesterday Mr Shorten and the disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes met Jetstar's chief executive, Bruce Buchanan, to discuss the airline's disability access practices, a meeting he described as "constructive", with more discussions to come.
The Federal Government outlined its commitment to air travel access for disabled people in its aviation industry blueprint released this week, with a caveat that it "recognises that meeting aviation safety, occupational health and safety and other legislative requirements can hinder the provision of equal access to air services".
The travel saga did not end for Ms Beaton, her guide dog, Prince, and her partner when they eventually made it to Sydney.
While there, she was told to leave a Chinese restaurant after they had just sat down, because the owner said that dogs weren't allowed inside.
She said she handed the restaurateur a Guide Dogs Access Card, which has printed on it the rights of blind people with guide dogs, but the owner handed it back and, in a hostile manner, said they had to leave.
She said the incident left her "incredibly upset".
She has reported the matter to Guide Dogs Victoria and NSW for investigation.
ANDREW HEASLEY, AVIATION REPORTER
December 18, 2009
QANTAS contracted packaging work to cheap prison labour at the expense of a company that employs disabled people.
After a retendering process, Qantas contracted the work — sealing earphones in plastic bags — to the NSW Department of Corrective Services, rather than its long-time contractor, Sunnyfield, which employs disabled people.
"We undertook a review with all our [packaging] services in NSW," said a Qantas spokeswoman. "Sunnyfield was not successful in this process and the work went to Corrective Services."
The Federal Government's parliamentary secretary for disabilities, Bill Shorten, said he had made inquiries with Qantas over the matter.
The Corrections Department was now subcontracting the work back to Sunnyfield.
"I'm satisfied Qantas is doing everything it can for people with disabilities," Mr Shorten said.
News of the about-turn came on the day Mr Shorten met Jetstar over its treatment of disabled passengers, after complaints were publicised.
Paralympian Kurt Fearnley hauled himself on his hands through the terminal rather than use a Jetstar wheelchair that he could not wheel independently and a Melbourne blind couple, Kathryn Beaton and Glen Bracegirdle, were refused a booking to Sydney because of her guide dog.
Yesterday Mr Shorten and the disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes met Jetstar's chief executive, Bruce Buchanan, to discuss the airline's disability access practices, a meeting he described as "constructive", with more discussions to come.
The Federal Government outlined its commitment to air travel access for disabled people in its aviation industry blueprint released this week, with a caveat that it "recognises that meeting aviation safety, occupational health and safety and other legislative requirements can hinder the provision of equal access to air services".
The travel saga did not end for Ms Beaton, her guide dog, Prince, and her partner when they eventually made it to Sydney.
While there, she was told to leave a Chinese restaurant after they had just sat down, because the owner said that dogs weren't allowed inside.
She said she handed the restaurateur a Guide Dogs Access Card, which has printed on it the rights of blind people with guide dogs, but the owner handed it back and, in a hostile manner, said they had to leave.
She said the incident left her "incredibly upset".
She has reported the matter to Guide Dogs Victoria and NSW for investigation.
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Ever since I can remember, headsets were packaged by female prisoners. I have never heard of them being packaged by disabled workers. I'd say someone is trying to send Qantas on a guilt trip by twisting the truth.
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It was up for retendering and the best offer won out. Qantas is a business...not a charity.
We have seen the board display very deep pockets when forking out for a farewell at a function centre, for example Crown casino. Or even a generous farewell package for a "medium term" manager.
Thought we were a sponsor of "don't dis my ability", or is this another case of lip service.
Evertonian
Qantas is a business...not a charity.
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Would be happy for Qantas to return to government ownership.....directors from the lib and labour govts of the day, no accountability, no transparency, no need to make any profit, new aircraft paid for by the tax payers.... what could be better..... Public Service Airlines Again!!
Of course the benefits for the public would be incredible.... every sheltered workshop in the country could bid for the work. Maintenance done by the deaf and blind, catering by meals on wheels the list of benefits for the public are enormous
Of course the benefits for the public would be incredible.... every sheltered workshop in the country could bid for the work. Maintenance done by the deaf and blind, catering by meals on wheels the list of benefits for the public are enormous
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It is a shame that the chase for the almighty dollar can make some people blind to the needs of others, or even our community.
Whats the purpose of the business? To a) provided the service of transporting pax and b) to provide employment, training, and opportunities to people who live in Australia c) create profits that eventually provide employment, training and opportunities to people who live in Australia.Thats my personal take on it. I'm not a businessman so I'm sure some will correct me but Geez wayne....when did businesses stop seeing themselves as an important structural part of the society and sstart seeing themselves as cash generating machines for international shareholders?
Ready to be shot down.......pffftt
Ready to be shot down.......pffftt
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Yes Qantas is both a business and increasingly, a poor corporate citizen.
Shame really but there you go.
Middle management, [who make these types of decisions] have over the years been stacked with corporate sociopaths bereft of anything approaching morality, humanity, principle or compassion.
No ?
Shame really but there you go.
Middle management, [who make these types of decisions] have over the years been stacked with corporate sociopaths bereft of anything approaching morality, humanity, principle or compassion.
No ?
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Framer the objective of any business is to essentially make a product or produce a service that someone wants.... the objective of the owners of a business is to make a profit.
Now if a business can conduct itself in an ethical way i think that's also laudable, but in fairness when doing things ethically adds to cost most consumers dont give a rats ass and go for the cheaper product.
Qantas for example generally does a lot of ethical procurement and activity but the public dont make their decisions to fly on that basis, they make it on schedule, price, service and safety.
I love the comments in the media from punters who say things like " i will never travel with Qantas again" because what?? the business that was doing one outsourced piece of work is not being done by another group of societies retarded in another "institution""????
Oh puuuleeease give me a break. Those making the comments have probably never travelled on Qantas anyways and wouldnt make a decision based on ethics in their lives... if they are so ethical have a look at all the made in china things around their homes....amongst the worlds greatest abusers of human rights
Now if a business can conduct itself in an ethical way i think that's also laudable, but in fairness when doing things ethically adds to cost most consumers dont give a rats ass and go for the cheaper product.
Qantas for example generally does a lot of ethical procurement and activity but the public dont make their decisions to fly on that basis, they make it on schedule, price, service and safety.
I love the comments in the media from punters who say things like " i will never travel with Qantas again" because what?? the business that was doing one outsourced piece of work is not being done by another group of societies retarded in another "institution""????
Oh puuuleeease give me a break. Those making the comments have probably never travelled on Qantas anyways and wouldnt make a decision based on ethics in their lives... if they are so ethical have a look at all the made in china things around their homes....amongst the worlds greatest abusers of human rights
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Blackbandit and Santo.bill I have re-read your posts several times and find them highly offensive even though I still can't work out what would motivate somebody to think those thoughts let alone share them with an open forum. This entire story and thread is a sad indictment on Qantas as well as society, if what I read here is representative of such. I would ask the moderator to have a look at what has been written here and ban those posters who are discriminating against those with a disability. You all only think of those with a congenital disability, and forgot about those with an acquired injury from car accidents, household accidents etc. It is another case of 'there but for the grace of God go I'.
As an addend I should declare I have a vested interest here as I am the parent of one such 'retard' that you all refer to with such empathy here.
As an addend I should declare I have a vested interest here as I am the parent of one such 'retard' that you all refer to with such empathy here.
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Both cretins Santos Bill and Black Bandit have been permanently banned.
Their antics aren't needed here.
And a word of warning to anyone who wishes to vilify those less fortunate than us: DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK OF A LIFETIME BAN DOWN TO YOUR IP ADDRESS!!
One bloody angry TID
Their antics aren't needed here.
And a word of warning to anyone who wishes to vilify those less fortunate than us: DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK OF A LIFETIME BAN DOWN TO YOUR IP ADDRESS!!
One bloody angry TID
Moderator
There are many companies which go quietly about their business and, on the side, make various contributions, in various ways, to activities and organisations which do good works within the community.
The earlier comment about the value of being a good corporate citizen is a valid observation.
The earlier comment about the value of being a good corporate citizen is a valid observation.
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The problem is, again, we don't know all the details.
While an airline like Qantas should, where possible support the Australian community and those less fortunate, at what cost is it expected to do this?
I certainly don't know details, but what is the cost differential? How did it transpire? For example, did the existing contract holder fulfill the contract efficiently, or was there supply problems? How about the price? Did the incumbant's price triple when negotiating the new contract, making them prohibitively expensive? While Qantas should do what it can, it can't be expected to do it completely at the expense of business practice, especially given the fact that the public want cheaper and cheaper flights. Its pretty rich of the public to bag out Qantas for using cheaper labour then complain about how expensive their fares are.
While we certainly have a right to be cautious and skeptical of some decisions (and we've all seen some of the terrible management decisions), but its a bit harsh to put all of the blame on Qantas without knowing even the basics of the negotiations!
The Comments of Mr Shorten, after discussing this decision, should give some view - "I'm satisfied Qantas is doing everything it can for people with disabilities".
While an airline like Qantas should, where possible support the Australian community and those less fortunate, at what cost is it expected to do this?
I certainly don't know details, but what is the cost differential? How did it transpire? For example, did the existing contract holder fulfill the contract efficiently, or was there supply problems? How about the price? Did the incumbant's price triple when negotiating the new contract, making them prohibitively expensive? While Qantas should do what it can, it can't be expected to do it completely at the expense of business practice, especially given the fact that the public want cheaper and cheaper flights. Its pretty rich of the public to bag out Qantas for using cheaper labour then complain about how expensive their fares are.
While we certainly have a right to be cautious and skeptical of some decisions (and we've all seen some of the terrible management decisions), but its a bit harsh to put all of the blame on Qantas without knowing even the basics of the negotiations!
The Comments of Mr Shorten, after discussing this decision, should give some view - "I'm satisfied Qantas is doing everything it can for people with disabilities".
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This is the world we live in today.....like it or not. Every business is the same.
I'd be interested to know the real story. More likely the "disabled workshop" have been privatised and the new owners want to make profits out of the disabled workers endeavours, rather than providing them something to do. This may be the REAL story!
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I think the point everyone is missing is the gross unfairness of any company trying to tender against a Govt organization which for all intents and purposes uses slaves. I'm sure Sunnyfield has to pay wages plus all the other costs associated with having a business. If the prisoners were costed out @ $50,000 per year I doubt they'd win the contract. If a Govt body wants to win against private enterprise Govt will always win because they don't care how much taxpayers money they lose.
Don't call any illegal strikes. You may find yourself jailed and then tendered out @ $1.50 a day competing against regular contracted pilots.
I repeat - It's unfair for Governments to tender against private enterprise if the real cost of the Govt tender is being subsidised by the taxpayer.
Cheers R.A
Don't call any illegal strikes. You may find yourself jailed and then tendered out @ $1.50 a day competing against regular contracted pilots.
I repeat - It's unfair for Governments to tender against private enterprise if the real cost of the Govt tender is being subsidised by the taxpayer.
Cheers R.A