Qantas pilots to take industrial action via in-flight announcements over job safety concerns
By The Associated Press
SYDNEY - A union representing 2,500 Qantas pilots said Tuesday that pilots on its long-haul flights will begin making announcements to passengers outlining their concerns about job security.
The Australian and International Pilots Association is taking the industrial action as it fights with the Australian carrier over pay and its concerns that Qantas will shift some operations to Asia and start outsourcing work.
"Qantas pilots are attempting to defend the brand they care about deeply," union spokesman Nathan Safe told reporters.
In a vote last week, the union approved a range of possible industrial actions, the most severe form being a two-day work stoppage. Asked Tuesday whether that was still an option, Safe said: "I can't predict how likely or unlikely it is. It is certainly undesirable. It's not a path we want to go down."
The pilot announcements will begin Friday. Safe said they would be brief and positive, and will direct passengers to a website the union has set up outlining its concerns.
The union has also launched a series of billboards in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane featuring the message, "When you board a Qantas flight, you expect a Qantas pilot."
"This would all end tomorrow if Qantas management would simply say, 'Yes, we agree that Qantas pilots will stay at the controls of Qantas airplanes,'" Safe said.
Qantas condemned the union's plans, but said that at this stage, the action is not expected to lead to any delays or cancellations.
"Qantas' priority is always to our customers and we are disappointed that the pilots' union would intentionally disturb customers' in-flight experience to make a point during an industrial dispute," the airline said in a statement.