QF CEO receives 'cowardly' death threat

[thewinchester]

This has just hit the wires within the last few minutes.

If this as below is correct as reported, this is the most grubby and disgusting action of the unions and their membership to date. No wonder the airline is fighting these gutter scum tooth and nail.

'Cowardly' threat to kill chief of Qantas Alan Joyce
by Simon Benson, The Advertiser, October 05, 2011 12:00am

POLICE are investigating death threats against Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce and senior management.

It is believed police are taking the threats seriously and they are believed to have possible links to the airline's bitter union dispute.

Mr Joyce has been advised to review his home security.

He also has hired Close Personal Protection to accompany him to some events.

Mr Joyce yesterday took the extraordinary step of sending a memo to 35,000 Qantas staff alerting them to the fact that employees had been receiving threats.

It was also revealed that senior staff have had their car windows smashed and homes damaged after refusing to strike.

The Irish-born Mr Joyce received a typed letter sent to his home which contained an explicit death threat.

It also read, in part: "Its coming soon Paddy. You cant even see it!

"The Unions will fight you ... Qantas is our airline, started & staffed by Australians, not foreign filth like you.

"All your evil plans ... will come back to you very swiftly, & kick you (sic) Irish FOREIGN cough out of the country."

Other hand-written letters sent to management who participated in contingency workforce during a Transport Workers Union action labelled them as "scabs" and suggested retribution against them and their families if they broke ranks with strikers again.​

​

 

[cove]

For anyone to be threatened when they are just doing their job is definitely a police matter. I am glad and sad that this has been brought out in the open as keeping it quiet would be un-Australian.

 

[VHOEJ]

Disgusting indeed - I am glad it is public too so everyone knows how 'tough' these unions are. I hope the police track down the culprit(s) and they get the book thrown at them.

And I hope the union involved doesnt get what they are after. The union thugs will cost their members jobs in the end and rightlfully so. And you wonder why the airline hates dealing with unions...........

 

[medhead]

Gee funny how people believe news limited when it panders to their own world view. Massive call to call people low life scum on the basis of "possible".

Wake up, there is no proof this is official union correspondence. Unless there is there is absolutely no valid basis to bash unions. IMO it is just as possible that these letters are fakes devised by management.

 

[munitalP]

Gee funny how people believe news limited when it panders to their own world view. Massive call to call people low life scum on the basis of "possible".

Wake up, there is no proof this is official union correspondence. Unless there is there is absolutely no valid basis to bash unions. IMO it is just as possible that these letters are fakes devised by management.

I would tend to agree with you in most circumstances, but with plenty of history - De'Sal plant in VIC most recent example of where union officials (ETU) threatened people with harm re contracts in place.

I wouldn't write this off as media hype just yet - some hyperbole or perhaps extrapolation of the truth, but not written off.

Welcome to Australia - the land where the unions rule and the government created the situation, welcome to the 1970's revisited. (need another good story of corruption - google Craig Thompson)

 

[medhead]

I would tend to agree with you in most circumstances, but with plenty of history - De'Sal plant in VIC most recent example of where union officials (ETU) threatened people with harm re contracts in place.

I wouldn't write this off as media hype just yet - some hyperbole or perhaps extrapolation of the truth, but not written off.

Welcome to Australia - the land where the unions rule and the government created the situation, welcome to the 1970's revisited. (need another good story of corruption - google Craig Thompson)

Yeah, but the ETU are a mob of ########.

I'm not writing this off as hype at all. But until there is something more than "possible" I can not support vitriolic attacks.

Craig Thompson will be worth looking at when we know what really happened. At the moment it is just Abbott's pathetic attempt to become PM.

Maybe I should put it a different way. I don't call the entire National party gutter scum because of the actions of individual members.

 

[drron]

The Craig Thomson affair(no P) was first raised by his Union in December 2008.Well before TA got on his case.

I would regard it as Julia's pathetic attempt to remain PM at any cost.

 

[Simo]

I don't believe that a union would be involved in this type of stupidity.

It will be a lone member of the public maybe a union member but nothing more than that.

Personal or Company property should never be damaged or threatened as it achieves nothing in the long run.

People don't go to work or take a job to get death threats this is not acceptable.

I hope the full weight of the law is thrown at the culprit or culprits.

 

[anat0l]

Although the actions referred to in this topic may be by definition be referred to as cowardly and possibly criminal, in reality how many people here (on AFF) are really concerned or, rather, would not be supportive of the perpetrator of these threats? Especially since the main target is Alan Joyce and given the amount of distaste on this forum collectively (of varying degrees from minor to passionate) which has been expressed about this individual?



----------
This anat0l content, if it must be known,
Was sent via Aust Freq Fly app, but not from an iPhone.

 

[Rebekkap]

I would tend to agree with you in most circumstances, but with plenty of history - De'Sal plant in VIC most recent example of where union officials (ETU) threatened people with harm re contracts in place.

I wouldn't write this off as media hype just yet - some hyperbole or perhaps extrapolation of the truth, but not written off.

Welcome to Australia - the land where the unions rule and the government created the situation, welcome to the 1970's revisited. (need another good story of corruption - google Craig Thompson)

Claiming that because the ETU allegedly threatened someone, so did the TWU is like saying because a Catholic priest has taken a vow of celibacy so has a Rabbi.

Or saying that because one doctor has been convicted of malpractice, all doctors are dodgy.

And since days lost to industrial disuputes are actually down under this government, your claim we've returned to the 1970s is demonstrably false.

 

[VHOEJ]

I don't believe that a union would be involved in this type of stupidity.

It will be a lone member of the public maybe a union member but nothing more than that.

Maybe so but someone would have to know where Joyce lives and have the ability to get access to thier cars to break windows. Someone inside would know that detail - it is easy for them to pass that information onto someone to do the 'ditry work' for them.

 

[dfcatch]

Come on Medhead - really??

Whilst I may agree with you on a technicality here, most of you folks are older than me, and I grew up in an era in Victoria where this kind of business (by union officials) was par for the course.

Now you are correct, that we should leave the investigation of facts to the professionals. But on the balance of probabilities, I would happily bet my money against your allegation that they may be "fakes".

Plenty of track record of this kind of thuggery in union culture - particularly if you go back to the 80's and early 90's.

Regardless of fact, my point is simple - this kind of behavior (proven or not) does nothing to win public support for the union's cause. From a PR perspective, it's a disaster.

And as for the notion that days lost to dispute are down during this government?? Really? Cite your source please. If correct, I find that curious.

Because public perception is clearly not in agreement there.



Bottom line - doesn't matter if these threats are true, and whether committed by union officials or not. The fact remains is to the public it reminds them of old-style union thuggery, and support will be against them.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

As l posted on FT, if true, very, very sad.
However, l am sure that the unions are working on a reply as I type.

(Sorry, l would have typed this sooner, but my reception is still a bit fuzzy after Greg Combet ripped my antenna off at a '98 MAU protest :mrgreen:...)

 

[medhead]

The Craig Thomson affair(no P) was first raised by his Union in December 2008.Well before TA got on his case.

I would regard it as Julia's pathetic attempt to remain PM at any cost.

Are you suggesting TA is JG's puppet? That she is making him go after Thomson to remain PM? Interesting idea.

In any case, if this was first raised in 2008 why, oh why is brandis and TA bringing it up now. Just strange and happy coincidence that the government has a majority of 1 seat. I think not. The liberals are not banging on about a 3 year old issue out of concern for union members.

Although the actions referred to in this topic may be by definition be referred to as cowardly and possibly criminal, in reality how many people here (on AFF) are really concerned or, rather, would not be supportive of the perpetrator of these threats? Especially since the main target is Alan Joyce and given the amount of distaste on this forum collectively (of varying degrees from minor to passionate) which has been expressed about this individual?

the premise of your question is wrong. Any distaste that I recall on AFF is about the man's direction not the man himself. Playing the ball not the man so to speak. I am surprised that you think any member of AFF would support death threats. Recalling some of my statements on the direction of qantas I might be inclined to feel insulted by your implication.

 

[dfcatch]

BTW - Welcome back Medhead

It's nice to see you around again!!

 

[medhead]

Come on Medhead - really??

Whilst I may agree with you on a technicality here, most of you folks are older than me, and I grew up in an era in Victoria where this kind of business (by union officials) was par for the course.

Now you are correct, that we should leave the investigation of facts to the professionals. But on the balance of probabilities, I would happily bet my money against your allegation that they may be "fakes".

Plenty of track record of this kind of thuggery in union culture - particularly if you go back to the 80's and early 90's.

Regardless of fact, my point is simple - this kind of behavior (proven or not) does nothing to win public support for the union's cause. From a PR perspective, it's a disaster.

And as for the notion that days lost to dispute are down during this government?? Really? Cite your source please. If correct, I find that curious.

Because public perception is clearly not in agreement there.



Bottom line - doesn't matter if these threats are true, and whether committed by union officials or not. The fact remains is to the public it reminds them of old-style union thuggery, and support will be against them.

All this is directed at me?????

Sorry but I didn't say anything about time lost to industrial action.

Your bottom line only supports the possibility (sorry not an allegation by any stretch) that the letters are fakes. As you say the letter damages the union. Umm who would benefit from that outcome?

I grew up in Queensland. I have experienced thuggery by supporters of a particular corrupt "entity". Unions are not the only groups capable of such acts IME.

Edit: thanks! I'm sure it won't last. Not least because [insert some comment here]

 

[nlagalle]

Although the actions referred to in this topic may be by definition be referred to as cowardly and possibly criminal, in reality how many people here (on AFF) are really concerned or, rather, would not be supportive of the perpetrator of these threats? Especially since the main target is Alan Joyce and given the amount of distaste on this forum collectively (of varying degrees from minor to passionate) which has been expressed about this individual?

I'm not sure what you are referring to anat0l, but no one doing a job regardless of what you think of them, deserves death threats (i'll work on the assumption they are real threats). And really I can't see anyone here that would be supportive of such action either. Sure people may not like some of the changes, but it doesn't amount to sending death threats either.

 

[oz_mark]

Although the actions referred to in this topic may be by definition be referred to as cowardly and possibly criminal, in reality how many people here (on AFF) are really concerned or, rather, would not be supportive of the perpetrator of these threats? Especially since the main target is Alan Joyce and given the amount of distaste on this forum collectively (of varying degrees from minor to passionate) which has been expressed about this individual?

I am appalled by the suggestion that people on this board would in any way, shape or form be supportive of the perpetrator. People may have their issues with the direction that Qantas has taken, but not once have I seen any suggestion, implication or anything suggesting that physical harm to anyone in management was seen as the solution.

 

[harvyk]

Although the actions referred to in this topic may be by definition be referred to as cowardly and possibly criminal, in reality how many people here (on AFF) are really concerned or, rather, would not be supportive of the perpetrator of these threats? Especially since the main target is Alan Joyce and given the amount of distaste on this forum collectively (of varying degrees from minor to passionate) which has been expressed about this individual?

As has been mentioned, I dislike AJ as a CEO of QF, not AJ as a person. I personally think whom ever sent these threats are absolute scum.

Gee funny how people believe news limited when it panders to their own world view. Massive call to call people low life scum on the basis of "possible".

Wake up, there is no proof this is official union correspondence. Unless there is there is absolutely no valid basis to bash unions. IMO it is just as possible that these letters are fakes devised by management.

You'll find that most of us dislike news limited as anything outside of perfectly normal operations with QF is considered front page news worthy, without doing the same level of reporting on other airlines that Australian's both know of and do fly. It's not that I don't believe that QF didn't have a go around on a certain day, it's just I don't consider that a problem despite how news limited makes its article out to look.

But in terms of receiving death threats I do believe that it's something which has happened, and I have my doubts that it's is a plot devised by management as it would (and has) become a police matter, and sending a death threat to yourself for the purposes of winning an argument is very strongly frowned upon (plus there is the whole wasting police resources which rarely ends well for the person making the fake allegations)

(As a side note, I've noticed of late quite a few of the QF bashing articles have been replaced with filler articles, one explaining why QF pilots are so good, the other following a QF FA around for a day, it's a bit of a strange turnaround from the QF is going to hell in a handbasket type articles they normally like to publish)

 

[dfcatch]

All this is directed at me?????

Sorry but I didn't say anything about time lost to industrial action.

Your bottom line only supports the possibility (sorry not an allegation by any stretch) that the letters are fakes. As you say the letter damages the union. Umm who would benefit from that outcome?

I grew up in Queensland. I have experienced thuggery by supporters of a particular corrupt "entity". Unions are not the only groups capable of such acts IME.

Edit: thanks! I'm sure it won't last. Not least because [insert some comment here]

Lost time to industrial action was mentioned by someone else - not all directed at you Medhead, you simply provide me with inspiration

And yes, QLD was a different story again. Although as a relatively new immigrant to QLD I struggle to see any remnants of that 'style' still around here. Plenty of other QLD stereotypes though (I won't touch those topics even with someone else's barge-pole)