Qantas Engineering redundances - Advice required!!!
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ALAEA Representatives metwith Qantas managers yesterday and we were advised that Compulsory Redundanciesfor LAMEs in Line Maintenance Sydney related to the announcement from Novemberlast year will not occur as planned by the company. Instead the company willimplement a forced leave program designed to deliver the company the manpowerthey consider necessary to acquit future work. Although leave programs havepreviously been used by Qantas in Flight Ops, this is a first for Engineering.We welcomed the decision; particularly considering the complexities aroundlicence coverage that this program will create.
As news spread we were contacted by many members whoexpressed relief that their jobs were secure for now. Others contacting ussought more detail about the leave program and how it would work with somemembers initially concerned that some of their leave would have to be used in away they had not planned. The reality of what we have collectively faced sinceNovember is that Qantas want to run their business with 450 less Engineers. Aleave program in Heavy Maintenance is not beneficial because all of theemployees from a closing hangar would have to take all their leave until itruns out and then be made redundant as there is no work to return to. In LineMaintenance this is different as work is ongoing. The forced leave option meansthat about fifty LAMEs who would have otherwise had no job will be able to feedtheir families for some time longer. AMEs have also been offered thisjob-saving mechanism but it is currently being blocked by the other unions.
Qantas will provide full details on the leave option nextweek. The key aspects are –
We understand that some discussion around the workplace hasled to the perception that forced leave may eat into the potential payouts ofLAMEs should a day come when they are made redundant. Some members feel thatthis leave is like a savings fund or additional buffer. Such thoughts may cometo mind, particularly when dealing with uncertainty, however a simpleexplanation can demonstrate that this is not the case.
Any LAME at Qantas today who has 4 weeks leave that theyare forced to take in order to postpone a redundancy by 12 months will gain anadditional 1 year of service. Should they be made redundant at that point theadditional year of service adds 4 weeks to the base redundancy payment. If the4 weeks leave is paid on retirement as annual leave, shift penalties would beadded but the payment is taxed at the marginal rate. The 4 weeks baseredundancy pay that you would otherwise receive is paid at a greatly reducedredundancy tax rate. The net result of the forced leave program on yourultimate payout is about the same in dollar terms compared to those who wish tostore leave. The forced leave path will add the benefit of actually taking theleave whilst saving the jobs of others.
When this idea was first raised by the ALAEA committee itwas met with stiff resistance from Qantas. Management stated that “this isabout getting rid of heads from the business”. We appreciate the acceptance bymanagement of a concept that fell outside their initial brief and hope itsignals the commencement of a new period of co-operation between the parties.
More importantly has been the overwhelming support frommembers. We understand that some of you doubt a path that we may take at times.Some choose to do the opposite of what is required to achieve what we considerto be a fair outcome. Others constantly question actions that need to be takenor talk about change as if it is a foregone conclusion. The continued unity ofa vast majority of members has saved the jobs of many. We thank you for thatsupport and trust that a happier Easter will be enjoyed by all.
STEVE PURVINAS Federal Secretary
PAUL COUSINS Federal President
WAYNE VASTA Assistant Federal Secretary
As news spread we were contacted by many members whoexpressed relief that their jobs were secure for now. Others contacting ussought more detail about the leave program and how it would work with somemembers initially concerned that some of their leave would have to be used in away they had not planned. The reality of what we have collectively faced sinceNovember is that Qantas want to run their business with 450 less Engineers. Aleave program in Heavy Maintenance is not beneficial because all of theemployees from a closing hangar would have to take all their leave until itruns out and then be made redundant as there is no work to return to. In LineMaintenance this is different as work is ongoing. The forced leave option meansthat about fifty LAMEs who would have otherwise had no job will be able to feedtheir families for some time longer. AMEs have also been offered thisjob-saving mechanism but it is currently being blocked by the other unions.
Qantas will provide full details on the leave option nextweek. The key aspects are –
- VR in Sydney will remain open for several more weeks and then close. It is possible that it may be several years before this opportunity is open in Sydney again.
- Transfers to other ports will also be available for several more weeks and then close.
- When all VR’s and transfers are known, a final calculation will be made by the airline to determine how overstaffed they consider the airline to be in Sydney.
- We estimate the final number will be around 50 LAME positions which could be covered by remaining staff taking about 4 weeks additional leave each year.
- In May this year several weeks will be set aside for all Sydney LAMEs to apply for all their leave for the next 12 months.
- In early June LAMEs will be advised if their leave has been accepted, preference will go to those who have applied for longer continuous periods of leave.
- The required shortfall will be allocated by Qantas as per operational requirements. LAMEs will have the choice of taking Long Service Leave or Annual leave.
- The process will repeat the following year however Qantas have reserved their right to withdraw from the program at any time. The ALAEA reserves our right to legally challenge any improper withdrawal.
We understand that some discussion around the workplace hasled to the perception that forced leave may eat into the potential payouts ofLAMEs should a day come when they are made redundant. Some members feel thatthis leave is like a savings fund or additional buffer. Such thoughts may cometo mind, particularly when dealing with uncertainty, however a simpleexplanation can demonstrate that this is not the case.
Any LAME at Qantas today who has 4 weeks leave that theyare forced to take in order to postpone a redundancy by 12 months will gain anadditional 1 year of service. Should they be made redundant at that point theadditional year of service adds 4 weeks to the base redundancy payment. If the4 weeks leave is paid on retirement as annual leave, shift penalties would beadded but the payment is taxed at the marginal rate. The 4 weeks baseredundancy pay that you would otherwise receive is paid at a greatly reducedredundancy tax rate. The net result of the forced leave program on yourultimate payout is about the same in dollar terms compared to those who wish tostore leave. The forced leave path will add the benefit of actually taking theleave whilst saving the jobs of others.
When this idea was first raised by the ALAEA committee itwas met with stiff resistance from Qantas. Management stated that “this isabout getting rid of heads from the business”. We appreciate the acceptance bymanagement of a concept that fell outside their initial brief and hope itsignals the commencement of a new period of co-operation between the parties.
More importantly has been the overwhelming support frommembers. We understand that some of you doubt a path that we may take at times.Some choose to do the opposite of what is required to achieve what we considerto be a fair outcome. Others constantly question actions that need to be takenor talk about change as if it is a foregone conclusion. The continued unity ofa vast majority of members has saved the jobs of many. We thank you for thatsupport and trust that a happier Easter will be enjoyed by all.
STEVE PURVINAS Federal Secretary
PAUL COUSINS Federal President
WAYNE VASTA Assistant Federal Secretary
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"In particular, the ACCC does not accept or rely on the claim that Qantas International is in “terminal decline” and unable to compete effectively or operate profitably absent the alliance.”
No, like everyone else including the coalface workers, we know Qantas has been raped and pillaged to support and setup of JetStar. it's all very well for a business to have a new venture but transparency and facts should be mandatory. In my opinion the CEO has used subjective manipulation of the books to cover up these facts. Jetstar has been suckling off the mother's teat and will never repay the debt.(becaus eteh debt will never be disclosed). Just as Mr Dixon's bonus, based on a successful takeover was NOT a bribe, so is the case Qantas NEVER supported Jetstar to any undisclosed extent. If ALL expenses were apportioned fairly you would see a completely different situation in the financial reports but resources, capital, a weak regulatory and an unethical attitude by this management will ensure the truth is NEVER revealed. (Else we couldn't send +200 engineers out the door)
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Fed Sec
Thanks to you and those who ran and supported the campaign. Also thanks for the explanation of how it will work. 
The glimmer of hope that there maybe a new spirit of co-operation I found incredibly refreshing. I doubt they will fulfill this but we can only hope.
The glimmer of hope that there maybe a new spirit of co-operation I found incredibly refreshing. I doubt they will fulfill this but we can only hope.
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Fed Sec
Thanks to you and those who ran and supported the campaign. Also thanks for the explanation of how it will work.
The glimmer of hope that there maybe a new spirit of co-operation I found incredibly refreshing. I doubt they will fulfill this but we can only hope.
Thanks to you and those who ran and supported the campaign. Also thanks for the explanation of how it will work.
The glimmer of hope that there maybe a new spirit of co-operation I found incredibly refreshing. I doubt they will fulfill this but we can only hope.
Thanks Steve and the ALAEA team for all the hard work and mindless dribble you have had the "pleasure" of being subjected to on our behalf.
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I think the brass have under estimated how quickly the back log of work has built up and the effect Mxi has had on the time it takes to do things now particularly in a line environment.
That and the continuing efforts to make Q a 145 organisation .
Keeping the staff onside and happy one would think was a priority at this critical time.
That and the continuing efforts to make Q a 145 organisation .
Keeping the staff onside and happy one would think was a priority at this critical time.
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If you people want this thread to stay open, STOP the personal attacks!!
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its the pay cut I can't handle!
The terms and conditions of your employment are being adhered to. The LSL conditions have not changed.
I would suggest you/we have a few options to consider.
- Raise LSL at next EA discussions
- Take VR
- Take a redeployment to another port
- Or
- Submit your leave forms this coming May, to use you ASL/LSL/DILPH/20TH as you would prefer, or let the company decide for you
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BP
Are you implying the rape and pillaging of this airline stopped with the exits of Jackson and Dixon?
No chance. The current Executive are doing just fine and all perfectly legal. Have a read here.
Makes for a feel good story, Exec and Board, working only for the benefit of the airline and shareholders. Coalface, worrying about their job prospects.
Are you implying the rape and pillaging of this airline stopped with the exits of Jackson and Dixon?
No chance. The current Executive are doing just fine and all perfectly legal. Have a read here.
Makes for a feel good story, Exec and Board, working only for the benefit of the airline and shareholders. Coalface, worrying about their job prospects.
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So best advice to AMEs would be harass your reps and AWU head office, you ate still looking at redundancys. Ask the question, why are we not following the ALAEAs lead? You need to get more vocal because as it stands now you are still going to suffer redundancys, and soon.
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I think the spy is right. Easy soft targets. 
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4 weeks forced LSL!!!!!!
Great snapping duck$hit... wont know what to do with myself!!! Bout bloody time we got some leave approved. Now I can get some stuff done on my bucket list.
Hopefully this may be a start to better relationships between the workers and the management.
Great snapping duck$hit... wont know what to do with myself!!! Bout bloody time we got some leave approved. Now I can get some stuff done on my bucket list.
Hopefully this may be a start to better relationships between the workers and the management.
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@duderanch
It's a sad state that you have to take leave to spend time with the family. Can't do it on days off or before/after work? Must be hard finding the time on four/five days off or even a weekend to spend time at home.
Tonight is the first night since that phone hook up that I feel pretty relaxed and actually looking forward to going to work tomorrow, and there's QF94 sitting at home stressing that he has to spend time with his family on full pay. 
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Thanks again to you Steve and the ALAEA team in getting a good result out of sh*t sandwich.
Already got my first phone call for O/T today but had to turn it down.....seems I'm enjoying having this time off to much
Already got my first phone call for O/T today but had to turn it down.....seems I'm enjoying having this time off to much
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Is every LAME going to have to take 4 weeks of some sort of leave ?
How will this work if you have less than 4 weeks of annual leave available, will they make you go into negative annual leave hours ?
If you have no annual leave and they are not going to make you go negative for your annual leave how does that work for your LSL if you have under 7 years of service?
You cannot currently access your LSL as you have under 7 years service, will they still be able to make you take 4 weeks LSL ?
ST
How will this work if you have less than 4 weeks of annual leave available, will they make you go into negative annual leave hours ?
If you have no annual leave and they are not going to make you go negative for your annual leave how does that work for your LSL if you have under 7 years of service?
You cannot currently access your LSL as you have under 7 years service, will they still be able to make you take 4 weeks LSL ?
ST
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It has taken a concerted effort of SOME to bring about an agreement by Qantas with the ALAEA to provide some respite from the redundancies.
It's disturbing to find that the Qantas managers had to be pressured to understand that they have overdone this culling of the engineers.
What is even more disturbing is that there were many so unconcerned about the plight of their workmates that they felt that they need not participate in any strategy to assist them. That being said, it's gratifying to see that there has been an improvement in the position of those affected.
What now?
Those that decided to look after their own interests may well have thought any strategy was not going work and they might as well milk the OT, but such things are not forgotten by others who didn't.
Hopefully. the leave solution will be enough, but this is far from being over. I'm sure the Fed sec knows this and will be working to secure a better outcome down the track.
Nice to see some happier posts.
It's disturbing to find that the Qantas managers had to be pressured to understand that they have overdone this culling of the engineers.
What is even more disturbing is that there were many so unconcerned about the plight of their workmates that they felt that they need not participate in any strategy to assist them. That being said, it's gratifying to see that there has been an improvement in the position of those affected.
What now?
Those that decided to look after their own interests may well have thought any strategy was not going work and they might as well milk the OT, but such things are not forgotten by others who didn't.
Hopefully. the leave solution will be enough, but this is far from being over. I'm sure the Fed sec knows this and will be working to secure a better outcome down the track.
Nice to see some happier posts.