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AWU Supporting Workers During Qantas Stand Downs

March 21, 2020

AWU UPDATE:
Supporting workers during Qantas stand downs.

21 March 2020


This week’s announcement from Qantas that staff will be stood down during the COVID—19 pandemic is a devastating blow to thousands of workers.

We know this is one of the toughest things anyone can go through – and the AWU is here to offer every support possible during this time.

AWU officials are engaged in ongoing discussions with Qantas to make sure AWU members are treated fairly and afforded every possible benefit to help them get through this tough period.

During this time, AWU members will be able to access all forms of leave, including Annual Leave, Long Service Leave and RDO’s. Members with low leave balances can accrue leave in arrears for up to four weeks.

We’ve called on Qantas to go further and:

  1. Confirm exactly which staff members will be affected as soon as possible so that workers can have some certainty.
  2. Ensure all workers kept on are engaged on a permanent basis, and not as contractors.
  3. Urgently role out its employee assistance program so that affected workers have access to every possible support.

We’ll also be making it clear to the Federal Government that any taxpayer dollars used in an airline bailout need to go to those who need it the most – the workers.

While Qantas has disappointedly not yet revealed the full extent of the impact, we expect that up to 50% of the engineering and aircraft appearance workforce is likely to be stood down from the end of March to the end of May.

Exactly which staff members will be stood down will depend on the skill sets and base requirements needed to fulfil the work associated with a scaled down airline fleet and any associated aircraft storage or maintenance.  Employees not stood down will be required to complete normal work.

There has never been a more important time to be a member of the AWU. 

AWU Officials are working around the clock to make sure you’re kept updated and treated fairly throughout this process.

Alliance Officials and Delegates will be meeting with Qantas early next week (week beginning 23rd March 2020) to be informed of and discuss the impacts on Brisbane Heavy Maintenance standowns and forward work. We’ll make sure to update members after this.

If you need any assistance during this time, make sure you speak to your AWU Organiser or your AWU Delegate straight away.

We’ll also be making it clear to the Federal Government that any taxpayer dollars used in an airline bailout need to go to those who need it the most – the workers.

Be a part of our community.

Join the AWU.

Stronger together.

 

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