Current Union Activity - Tide of support turned against them?

[browski]

Although a lot of the commentary is on the lower off-shore wages, QF is also having a domestic battle with DJ. As I understand it, DJ's salary costs are significantly lower that QFs (like for like).

While this difference was fine while JQ and DJ were battling it out, presumably with similar wage rates, DJ is now rapidly moving upmarket, and will soon be able to compete on price with a similar product to QF.

QF simply cannot afford to allow their costs to increase if they are to maintain market share against DJ.

I'm not so sure that DJ is quite the threat to QF profitability. It is often the case that the only thing better than a monopoly is a duopoly.
OK, look at Coles and Woolies; but perhaps don't look at Qantas and Ansett.

 

[serfty]

...
OK, look at Coles and Woolies; but perhaps don't look at Qantas and Ansett.

That's obfuscation at it's best.

I'm sure many ex AN employees would be reasonably happy to do the same work for Qantas at effectively 25% less than they had been receiving.

Do a search for my posts relating to "troughs" for more on that.

 

[EmilyHoward]

I think the Unions have to remember that we are in a Recession and have been since 2008. IMHO it is not going away any time soon on a worldwide basis and though we have been protected somewhat here that is no reason for complacency and certainly no reason for the Unions to pose such a threat to the general travelling public. AJ is actually moving ahead with Qantas and doing what he has to do and, sometimes that is very difficult. The one major thing people don't like in their lives is ... change. And when we refer to Darwin remember what his theory was ... the species that survive is the one that is the most adaptable not the one that is the strongest. The Unions do have strength true, but they are wrong in their belief that the strength they have will win for them. They are going to have to adapt ... as we all are in these troublesome times.

EH

 

[auspal]

Dont know what happened to my previous post, I knew there was a problem and didnt think it was even published. But I do think that we need a National airline to look after our interests or maybe I am being a bit naieve. I also think that a lot of members on this forum are Qantas employees or share holders, I am neither.

Or maybe, dare I say it, business people who dont actually paid out their hard earned cash for airfares.

 

[Moopere]

Dont know what happened to my previous post, I knew there was a problem and didnt think it was even published. But I do think that we need a National airline to look after our interests or maybe I am being a bit naieve. I also think that a lot of members on this forum are Qantas employees or share holders, I am neither.

Or maybe, dare I say it, business people who dont actually paid out their hard earned cash for airfares.

I don't understand the point being made sorry (??). I spend my own money on flights and also my company sends me away - not sure how this relates to QF and the unions???

How having a state run National Airline benefits anyone except the employees is not obvious to me either. Such behemoths are seldom good for taxpayers or innovation or constant product improvement.

 

[straitman]

Dont know what happened to my previous post, I knew there was a problem and didnt think it was even published. But I do think that we need a National airline to look after our interests or maybe I am being a bit naieve. I also think that a lot of members on this forum are Qantas employees or share holders, I am neither.Or maybe, dare I say it, business people who dont actually paid out their hard earned cash for airfares.

.... and some of us are non of the above :!:

 

[JohnPhelan]

wouldn't you be pissed if someone got off a plane from Ireland, took millions out of the petty cash tin and told you that your job was on the line because there wasn't enough money left to pay you? I'm with the unions on this one.

Actually, I'm much more pissed off by people making racist remarks. It rather undermines your 'social justice' argument, don't you think?

 

[possum FF]

I would be sympathetic to the unions but can only suspect that they are trying to feather-bed themselves. Am I correct in thinking that the pilots in particular are trying to get superior retirement travel benefits above other staff? If so, they lose my support. It just doesn't seem real that they are going to these lengths to keep Qantas australian ....

 

[auspal]

Oh well , I just knew I would get my head bitten off. Serves me right. Just for the record my post wasnt aimed at anyone in particular, I will just crawl back under my rock and stay away from this heated topic. Good reading though guys.

 

[janita]

Where is the vote against both? How can the Qantas CEO give himself such an obscene increase and deny the same to the rest of the work force (who are doing the hard work)? But union actions are also reprehensible and expensive to the end user. Surely there is a better way? Maybe dividing the CEO's wages up between the lowest paid?

 

[Maca44]

Qantas have been trying to take some services such as maintenance 'off shore' and I think the actions of the unions are playing right into QF's hand. When QF has the guts milked out of it because of the strikes, loss of business etc, or had their assets lowered to the extend that they are not longer able to operate as full service carrier in Australia, not unlike AN, then they will move off shore, at which time the employees will have no jobs to complain about. I think QF will sit back and wait for this to happen as it would be a win/win situation for them, and then blame the unions for the demise. Even if QF does move off shore, the QF FF program would still thrive because it is so lucrative. Don't torch me, just my thoughts.

 

[smeacs]

Abc morning news just reported that the NSW and Vic premiers had written to the federal govt asking them to intervene.

 

[cove]

Yes it is time that the Feds get the unions to understand the need for productivity improvements and flexibility. We pay extra because of the lack of progress on both of these issues.

 

[Meggsy]

Finally, wouldn't you be pissed if someone got off a plane from Ireland, took millions out of the petty cash tin and told you that your job was on the line because there wasn't enough money left to pay you?

I don't see any relevance in his heritage. It's also not like he arrived in the country yesterday. The man has worked continuously with Ansett, Jetstar, Qantas for 15 years and is an Australian citizen.

 

[Moody]

Abc morning news just reported that the NSW and Vic premiers had written to the federal govt asking them to intervene.

Do they say how they want the federal government to intervene? Seems to be a lot of hand-wringing with no useful contribution to the debate except "This will cost us money if it goes on, so fix it!"

 

[drron]

Just heard the TWU spokesman on the ABC saying QF could end the dispute now by agreeing to the Union demands.So couldn't he also end the dispute now?
He said the main problem is the threat of outsourcing.Frankly I think their actions are making outsourcing more likely every day.

 

[cove]

Will it be Julia to the rescue? She said she is running the country from Perth this week!

 

[oz_mark]

Abc morning news just reported that the NSW and Vic premiers had written to the federal govt asking them to intervene.

IMHO, when state governments are telling the media they have sent letters, they are just playing a political game, trying to look good to their constituents.

 

[klavdy]

I see where they are all coming from, but can't vote as it's not B&W.

It is interesting to note though that when Martin Ferguson criticises a Union Leader then there's some pointer as to the eventual result in the standoff.

Those are very good points, hmm,food for further thought.

 

[Baysider]

I think Maca44 is spot on. The unions are slashing their own throats here ... well, at least their members throats - I'm sure the union leaders will still have a job at the end of this !!