QF Group Ground Handling Cuts
The purpose running a business is run a business in that field. Accountants don’t get that - they get bonuses. Zero vision. Outsource enough and the business ceases to exist in anything but name and a bank account.
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If, pre-COVID, Alan had made ALL 2500 ground staff redundant and effectively hired most of them back through contracting companies, whether these companies were owned by Qantas or not, he would have been highly in breach of Australian workplace law. Qantas would have been taken to court, and lost. There is plenty of case law for this. (Yes, the equivalent can be legally achieved over time through a thousand cuts, but not in a case lot like this).
He is doing it now, presumably on the basis that these people don’t have “useful work” anyway. So he has, effectively, found a loophole that he can capitalise on, free of litigation. In the “crisis”, he has discovered something to his advantage that he never would have been able to do otherwise.
The Australian concept of “stand-down”, which was only intended for a short-term stoppage, is gathering new consequences daily. This move is not in the spirit of “keeping jobs” as publicly advertised by Alan. This move is an opportunistic “don’t waste a crisis” kick in the guts for all Qantas staff, and I hope the TWU expose him for it in the media. I actually thought he was doing well until now.
From a simple back of the envelope calculation: if outsourcing 2500 jobs will save $100M/year, then they think they can get they equivalent job done for $40,000 less per employee.
Now, if Patty speaks the truth, it could be that simple. But I doubt Patty speaks for the majority of ground staff. That would be like saying “all pilots earn $400K! Surely we can outsource pilots for half that!”
The fact that Tino/Alan actually did threaten something similar to their pilots just 8 months ago hasn’t escaped me, but I digress.
Given that you wouldn’t be likely to be able to shave $40K off an average cleaner’s wage and expect them to re-apply to the contracting mob, there must be some fat in there somewhere that we’re missing.
The only clue I’ve found so far was actually in clear sight in the press release: it “includes management roles”.
Ahh.
Now, if Patty speaks the truth, it could be that simple. But I doubt Patty speaks for the majority of ground staff. That would be like saying “all pilots earn $400K! Surely we can outsource pilots for half that!”
The fact that Tino/Alan actually did threaten something similar to their pilots just 8 months ago hasn’t escaped me, but I digress.
Given that you wouldn’t be likely to be able to shave $40K off an average cleaner’s wage and expect them to re-apply to the contracting mob, there must be some fat in there somewhere that we’re missing.
The only clue I’ve found so far was actually in clear sight in the press release: it “includes management roles”.
Ahh.
1 of them told me they were basically no worse off on jobkeeper,the work they do is not appreciated.
This is why you're a banana and not a board member. Alans doing a great job saving the company money. Like it or not, a unionised legacy workforce is expensive. (Sickies, staff travel, allowances, penalty rates...dry cleaning!) There is a never ending crowd of keen young people willing to do their job for half the $. Their enthusiasm usually burns out after 6-12months, ready for the next batch.
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I haven't worked in that area for quite a while, but Patty's estimate is close to what I would've have estimated for base wage plus penalty rates for a full timer. If there are more than one or two people earning an extra 20k due to overtime, is that the workers fault or it is bad management?
........and the predictable result will be a massive increase in lost, stolen damaged and late baggage. That will produce enough reputational damage to offset any savings. However since the reputation bit isn’t quantified in accounts, it will look like a saving.
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From a simple back of the envelope calculation: if outsourcing 2500 jobs will save $100M/year, then they think they can get they equivalent job done for $40,000 less per employee.
Now, if Patty speaks the truth, it could be that simple. But I doubt Patty speaks for the majority of ground staff. That would be like saying “all pilots earn $400K! Surely we can outsource pilots for half that!”
Now, if Patty speaks the truth, it could be that simple. But I doubt Patty speaks for the majority of ground staff. That would be like saying “all pilots earn $400K! Surely we can outsource pilots for half that!”
Swissport will do 737s with 4 rather than 5 man teams. You won’t have guys doing 3 35 minute turnarounds in 8 hours like you do now. Or 2 guys loading a nearly empty morning flight while 3 have a sleep. No more rocking up hungover at 5 and the boys letting you sleep until 7.
There are plenty of legacy conditions that will be done away with, the TWU EBA has allowances for everything. All breaks are currently paid, that will be gone. The penalty rate structure is completely different. Overtime goes on a weekly basis rather than after an 8 hour shift.
QAL managers currently each have about 25 people underneath them. There are additional supervisors and there are workforce planing. All will go and be replaced by a handful of supervisors.
The GSE mechanics will mostly go. All the bus drivers and bus mechanics.
Very easy to see how they will get their $100m in savings.
Like it or not, a unionised legacy workforce is expensive. (Sickies, staff travel, allowances, penalty rates...dry cleaning!) There is a never ending crowd of keen young people willing to do their job for half the $. Their enthusiasm usually burns out after 6-12months, ready for the next batch.
Well, sooner or later, they will come for everyone.
Like it or not, a unionised legacy workforce is expensive. (Sickies, staff travel, allowances, penalty rates...dry cleaning!) There is a never ending crowd of keen young people willing to do their job for half the $. Their enthusiasm usually burns out after 6-12months, ready for the next batch.
Reality is the same game could be played with CEO and senior managers if boards wanted to get serious. The issue however is that once you get into senior levels of any corporation it tends to be a bit of a closed shop and very much on who your mates are and who is going to support you politically.
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This is why you're a banana and not a board member. Alans doing a great job saving the company money. Like it or not, a unionised legacy workforce is expensive. (Sickies, staff travel, allowances, penalty rates...dry cleaning!) There is a never ending crowd of keen young people willing to do their job for half the $. Their enthusiasm usually burns out after 6-12months, ready for the next batch.
Staff travel: money making exercise, get rid of it if you like.
Allowances: feel free to roll a lesser amount in to base pay - but they don't want to pay the super
Penalty rates: Fair Work sets the "normal" hours of work, see the retail award etc. Only someone who hasn't had their sleep patterns disrupted long-term would have a problem with this
Dry cleaning: outrageous!
Outsourced madness
I think this is AJ's way of getting rid of the TWU - who are a PITA as far as management are concerned. I assume that this also means the demise of the old Qantas Transport team - those who used to do the crew transfers QCC to airside and return, plus tech crew home transport? (Showing my age now).
Used to be that Ground handling was a very profitable part of the Qantas Airports 'division' - recall many times costing up bids for other airlines handling at SYD International. Critical issue was when you had an AOG close to the curfew, you had your own staff to handle the pax to hotels exercise (and return). TWU used to be rostered until 0100, so the staff was on hand. A certain accountant put paid to that and it only took several weeks before the late LAX departure went tech. So due to Flight time limitations, new crew to be called out and the service was a no-go. The pax had to shuffled off to hotels etc, but the TWU pulled the 'sorry no overtime' and shot through when the shift was due to finish. Took an eternity for the pax to get to their hotels, only to be waken up for a 0600 departure. Would like to have been a fly on the wall as the (few) management did the bags, organised the transfers and hotels, Plus did all the rebookings for the displaced pax. And our American brethren were SO accommodating and flexible in their requests! Heard through the grapevine the overall 'impact' was in excess of $100k and that was in the early 90's.
Seems they never learn about the full outsource model - no 'ownership', no loyalty, and in the end it hurts your business. Ask PanAm and TWA.
Used to be that Ground handling was a very profitable part of the Qantas Airports 'division' - recall many times costing up bids for other airlines handling at SYD International. Critical issue was when you had an AOG close to the curfew, you had your own staff to handle the pax to hotels exercise (and return). TWU used to be rostered until 0100, so the staff was on hand. A certain accountant put paid to that and it only took several weeks before the late LAX departure went tech. So due to Flight time limitations, new crew to be called out and the service was a no-go. The pax had to shuffled off to hotels etc, but the TWU pulled the 'sorry no overtime' and shot through when the shift was due to finish. Took an eternity for the pax to get to their hotels, only to be waken up for a 0600 departure. Would like to have been a fly on the wall as the (few) management did the bags, organised the transfers and hotels, Plus did all the rebookings for the displaced pax. And our American brethren were SO accommodating and flexible in their requests! Heard through the grapevine the overall 'impact' was in excess of $100k and that was in the early 90's.
Seems they never learn about the full outsource model - no 'ownership', no loyalty, and in the end it hurts your business. Ask PanAm and TWA.
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Never let a crisis go to waste, the prospect of a 40% discount on future ground handling and not having the unions squeezing his nuts must have been too much to resist for AJ. The idea of simply picking the lowest tender instead of negotiating with militant union leaders just prior to the peak travel season would be very appealing.
If it was cheaper to have ground handling in house, then other airlines would be doing it rather than outsourcing. Whilst there are undeniable advantages to having your own people, these are obviously outweighed by the disadvantages and higher cost.
Baggage handlers at QF are paid considerably more than similar workers in comparable jobs outside of the airline, and it’s only because of the disruption they are capable of causing rather than supply and demand.
FIFO workers on the mines are very well paid because that is what it takes to have people away from their families for 2 - 3 weeks at a stretch doing 12 hour shifts in the outback. I saw a job for a grader driver in the Pilbara recently, 3 weeks on 1 week off, 12 hours shifts at $65 an hour plus super. Comes out at +$200 000 a year, which is more than most F/Os make and not too far off junior narrow body Captain rates, if anyone wants a career change
If it was cheaper to have ground handling in house, then other airlines would be doing it rather than outsourcing. Whilst there are undeniable advantages to having your own people, these are obviously outweighed by the disadvantages and higher cost.
Baggage handlers at QF are paid considerably more than similar workers in comparable jobs outside of the airline, and it’s only because of the disruption they are capable of causing rather than supply and demand.
FIFO workers on the mines are very well paid because that is what it takes to have people away from their families for 2 - 3 weeks at a stretch doing 12 hour shifts in the outback. I saw a job for a grader driver in the Pilbara recently, 3 weeks on 1 week off, 12 hours shifts at $65 an hour plus super. Comes out at +$200 000 a year, which is more than most F/Os make and not too far off junior narrow body Captain rates, if anyone wants a career change
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There are immense productivity gains to be made. Even when they eventually get back to full schedule the 2500 jobs will be replaced by 1800.
Swissport will do 737s with 4 rather than 5 man teams. You won’t have guys doing 3 35 minute turnarounds in 8 hours like you do now. Or 2 guys loading a nearly empty morning flight while 3 have a sleep. No more rocking up hungover at 5 and the boys letting you sleep until 7.
There are plenty of legacy conditions that will be done away with, the TWU EBA has allowances for everything. All breaks are currently paid, that will be gone. The penalty rate structure is completely different. Overtime goes on a weekly basis rather than after an 8 hour shift.
QAL managers currently each have about 25 people underneath them. There are additional supervisors and there are workforce planing. All will go and be replaced by a handful of supervisors.
The GSE mechanics will mostly go. All the bus drivers and bus mechanics.
Very easy to see how they will get their $100m in savings.
Swissport will do 737s with 4 rather than 5 man teams. You won’t have guys doing 3 35 minute turnarounds in 8 hours like you do now. Or 2 guys loading a nearly empty morning flight while 3 have a sleep. No more rocking up hungover at 5 and the boys letting you sleep until 7.
There are plenty of legacy conditions that will be done away with, the TWU EBA has allowances for everything. All breaks are currently paid, that will be gone. The penalty rate structure is completely different. Overtime goes on a weekly basis rather than after an 8 hour shift.
QAL managers currently each have about 25 people underneath them. There are additional supervisors and there are workforce planing. All will go and be replaced by a handful of supervisors.
The GSE mechanics will mostly go. All the bus drivers and bus mechanics.
Very easy to see how they will get their $100m in savings.
Words of wisdom here.......... 👍
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Just a crazy fact off topic, if you double the QF job losses and double the VA job losses add them together you get 19000 job losses. Thats what AA just announced.
Could not fathom this 12 months ago never mind right now. Just beyond belief.
Could not fathom this 12 months ago never mind right now. Just beyond belief.
There are immense productivity gains to be made. Even when they eventually get back to full schedule the 2500 jobs will be replaced by 1800.
Swissport will do 737s with 4 rather than 5 man teams. You won’t have guys doing 3 35 minute turnarounds in 8 hours like you do now. Or 2 guys loading a nearly empty morning flight while 3 have a sleep. No more rocking up hungover at 5 and the boys letting you sleep until 7.
There are plenty of legacy conditions that will be done away with, the TWU EBA has allowances for everything. All breaks are currently paid, that will be gone. The penalty rate structure is completely different. Overtime goes on a weekly basis rather than after an 8 hour shift.
QAL managers currently each have about 25 people underneath them. There are additional supervisors and there are workforce planing. All will go and be replaced by a handful of supervisors.
The GSE mechanics will mostly go. All the bus drivers and bus mechanics.
Very easy to see how they will get their $100m in savings.
Swissport will do 737s with 4 rather than 5 man teams. You won’t have guys doing 3 35 minute turnarounds in 8 hours like you do now. Or 2 guys loading a nearly empty morning flight while 3 have a sleep. No more rocking up hungover at 5 and the boys letting you sleep until 7.
There are plenty of legacy conditions that will be done away with, the TWU EBA has allowances for everything. All breaks are currently paid, that will be gone. The penalty rate structure is completely different. Overtime goes on a weekly basis rather than after an 8 hour shift.
QAL managers currently each have about 25 people underneath them. There are additional supervisors and there are workforce planing. All will go and be replaced by a handful of supervisors.
The GSE mechanics will mostly go. All the bus drivers and bus mechanics.
Very easy to see how they will get their $100m in savings.
Coming in hungover at 5am,are you serious!!,the drug & alcohol policy is so strict it makes your claim an insult.
And 3 flights in 8 hours,makes me really wonder where you got this info from.
If they want to use 4 instead of 5 to load a 737,so be it,see how long it takes to load 120 bags & freight/mail also.
As for paid breaks,that is because they are shift workers!
It seems you think these guys get it easy,try doing their work on 38+c days & no,im not 1 of them.
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I'd take Joyce over Borgetti or any other current Airline CEO any day of the week. I wasn't a fan but like Warren Buffet once said "Only when the tides goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked" and boy Qantas
has been shown to be one of the very few airlines to have been wearing shorts, not acknowledging Joyce as responsible would be disingenuous. Its a tough business for our nations airlines to compete in a world were 3 middles eastern
carriers have flooded the market with their subsidized business models. People here will not like to hear it but we have to admit he is a brilliant strategist.
Whilst I too would never say being CEO is easy, Joyce did enjoy having only to deal with one poorly run competitor domestically (Virgin). I believe domestic is where the majority of Qantas profits were made in the last few years.
The Emirates code share proved he wasn't too keen on making a go of international, but then the project sunrise fiasco came along. Too little too late and mostly a PR stunt. He didn't have to compete with the ME3 going to Asia or the USA, just LHR mostly and he fixed that with a soul crushing 17.5 hour direct from Perth.
He also likes to fake huge losses (asset write offs) and then the following year be hailed aviation god by posting a profit.
Now whether this qualifies you as either a great CEO or great b#lls@it artist the jury is still out for me.
The Emirates code share proved he wasn't too keen on making a go of international, but then the project sunrise fiasco came along. Too little too late and mostly a PR stunt. He didn't have to compete with the ME3 going to Asia or the USA, just LHR mostly and he fixed that with a soul crushing 17.5 hour direct from Perth.
He also likes to fake huge losses (asset write offs) and then the following year be hailed aviation god by posting a profit.
Now whether this qualifies you as either a great CEO or great b#lls@it artist the jury is still out for me.
Last edited by Climb150; 26th Aug 2020 at 16:05.
That is true, like the empty car factories and industrial sheds, Australians is screwed while the rich get richer.