FED: Qantas says flights won't be disrupted over xmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2001
FED: Qantas says flights won't be disrupted over xmas

Qantas says passengers won't suffer any disruptions to flights over the Christmas period,
despite threats of industrial action by unions.

Two Qantas maintenance unions have refused to accept an 18-month wage freeze from the
airline and have not ruled out taking industrial action over Christmas.

The unions involved, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Australian
Workers Union, have denied the possible action would be intended to disrupt flights.

Members of both unions took part in a secret ballot ordered by the Australian Industrial
Relations Commission, but voted overwhelmingly to reject the wage freeze.

Qantas chief executive GEOFF DIXON says the airline has offered workers a new classification
structure, improved career opportunities with more higher level positions, and bonus payments
for staff who acquire additional qualifications.

He says nine of the airline's unions representing some 92 per cent of the Qantas' workforce
have agreed to a wage freeze together with the incentive scheme.





Talks between the airline and the two maintenance unions are continuing in the AIRC in Melbourne.

AAP RTV nd/arb/rp

KEYWORD: QANTAS WAGES AIRLINE (SYDNEY)

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