Emirates Sydney Engineers
 

If the rumours circulating are correct about Emirates downsizing their engineering department in Sydney, then I reckon that is a low act.

Is it the same at EKs other aussie ports? I can't believe that an airline the calibre of Emirates is going to let a backyard operator take over their line work.

Just remember you get what you pay for, and I think the new mobs motto is something like no care ,no responsibility.

Anything to do with a shortage of qualified staff?

I know there are one or two European stations who are short staffed.

Downsizing is an understatement, they are closing the Engineering department. AMSA (Singapore Airlines) will be taking over the facilities I believe.

Can anyone confirm MEL is also closing.

I hope all the guys find work with AMSA and Jetstar or elswhere.

Who's getting the Thai contract?

have heard the same will be found at the other line stations being outsourced to AMSA down the track from a :eek:source.
As has happened in NZ where ANZ now do all line duties

EK have at least 8 engineering staff working in AKL now servicing there 3 daily flights.
There was a change made in CHC where NZ now do checks due to only 1 flight with a 90min turn, not really economical to have an engineering base for that.

Have Emirates offered these engineers positions elsewhere or is it just redundancy. This is a very low act for a company that is supposedly doing so well.

Any EK engineers out of a job should apply to CX in SYD.

I know direct from the horses mouth, that they are expanding and taking on more staff.

CX now has the largest engineering department after QF in SYD.

Will CX be taking LAMEs or will they do what they always do and hire casual AMEs, leaving them hanging indefintely.

EK have supposedly offered the SYD staff a position in DXB if they want to relocate. I doubt many would be interested in taking them up on the offer after the way they have been treated and after seeing the operation and working conditions in DXB, not to mention the pay cut with the strength of the AUD.

I somehow feel EK are playing with some serious smoke and mirrors, to announce a one billion dollar profit, then to axe a well established station in one of their key hubs does not make sense.

Either the Dubai government is taking EKs cash to prop itself up in the midst of Dubai economic troubles or EKs finances are not as rosey as they are portraying. Either way it is a sad state of affairs.

The company (in the loosest term of the word) that have acquired the EK contract have been bringing in A380 qualified engineers from SIN for a couple of months now as obviously this has been negotiated for a while and they have had time to prep. It all fits in with hindsight, and not sure how they get around this given there are A380 qualified engineers available in Aus. So, not good news for the EK guys who are all top blokes and now unlikeley to get in with the other mob, even if they really wanted to.
Overall, I think (and hope) that this will fall flat on it's face in a short time and be a lesson to the other airlines round here that things aren't always cheaper in the long run. I hear a lot of stuff from good, reliable sources about the other company and some it's staff, and none of it is good. I know of one airline that has gone to them this year, and learnt the hard way that they are not as good or cheap as they look on paper and are already looking to get a real airline involved again on the maintenance side.
As for the TG contract, I do know who they are talking to, I know who else has been approached, but can't take it on, and one they maybe should have been in touch with.

Besides the EK guys, who are these 'available' A380/GP7000 LAME's your are talking about? There are none in Australia, so maybe a few of the EK boys can get a position with the new maint provider.

The 'other' maint provider I think you are talking about were the first ever A380 maintenance outstation, and the boys there been have working/certing the A380 since 2007, and have a impressive dispatch record, better than QF apparently.

Your dead right about this, how can the 'other' maint provider bring in all these temp guys from SIN, and not have to train or employ locals? Maybe because of the short stays the secondees have? Word is the likes of JHAS have big problems with the unions not allowing them to employ foreign 457 visa holders.

Its a real shame for the EK guys, I hope they find good positions elsewhere, their skills and experience would be hard to replace in Aus.

Besides the EK guys, who are these 'available' A380/GP7000 LAME's your are talking about? There are none in Australia, so maybe a few of the EK boys can get a position with the new maint provider.

Thats the point. There would be more available if the new maint provider paid a wage more measurable to the local industry norm and tried to attract in local engineers rather than having to import them on short term visas. I didn't see jobs advertised so they obvioulsy went straight to SIN for the manpower.

The 'other' maint provider I think you are talking about were the first ever A380 maintenance outstation, and the boys there been have working/certing the A380 since 2007, and have a impressive dispatch record, better than QF apparently.

I wasn't particularly refering to A380s. I just know of an AOG situation that was not dealt with very well for an airline that are now not very happy with the maint provider. In fact the airline used a contact and managed to use some manpower from another airline to clear up the AOG as the contracted company were less than helpful.

Overall, not good for the EK guys or any locals looking to move onwards.

They are pretty big in BNE too, and have had the EK engineering contract there from the beginning.

If the rumours around SYD airport are anything to go by, the closure has nothing to do with the financial state of EK ,
:ouch:

OK Bolty, share them with us. This is a rumour network after all...

Something needs to be done about this particular engineering service provider!

Bringing in engineers on 457 visas purely because their pay and conditions are so bad that local engineers won't work for them is in breach of visa legislation and undermines engineering standards in this country.

AMEs COMING NEXT
 

Not only are they importing cheap LAMEs on lousey conditions. they will soon be bringing in AMEs from Spore too!
How are they able to do this ? ? ?
Perhaps the ALAEA and AMWU should make some enquiries.

The 457 Visas are are a con-job of the highest order being used way out of context as a "weapon" to undermine, weaken and destroy the working conditions of Australians.

Its abuse by the "bosses" must be halted before things go too far and it becomes too late.

Train right and reward rightly....Australians in Australia.....there is no shortage, just a shortage of moral fiber, patriotism and truth at the "top".

A contribution from your Fed Sec about now would be timely and perhaps enlightening.

Careful now! You will be branded a racist with talk like that!

I fully agree, 457 visas are being used as a tool to undermine local pay and conditions. "Geez, those lazy Aussies. We offer them jobs but they turn them down. We need foreign labour now". (Who would be willing to work for the rubbish pay and conditions on offer).