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Qantas pilots challenge strike ban
Thu 10 Nov 11, 16:51pm AEDT


The pilots' union has launched Federal Court action challenging the industrial umpire's decision to terminate its industrial action against Qantas.

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) applied for judicial review of the Fair Work Australia (FWA) decision at the court in Sydney today, AIPA said.

The pilots will argue that the airline's decision to ground its entire fleet almost two weeks ago was not protected, because it was a disproportionate response to minor industrial action.

Pilots wore red ties and made announcements of their actions inside planes, the union says.

AIPA says the legal challenge will not stop its negotiations with the airline, which are currently underway.

If successful, the challenge could reignite the industrial action that lead Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to ground all Qantas planes for about 48 hours.

At the time, Mr Joyce said the dispute was hurting the company.

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