TWU may challenge QF Fair Work Australia ruling in the courts

[medhead]

The whole point of industrial action is to show management that the workers where serious about their demands. It's effectively a big stick that worker can use when management is resting on their laurels and won’t negotiate in good faith. But good faith has now been taken out of the equation as FWA and an independent arbitrator will now decide what is happening.

The question could then be asked, would it even be necessary to provide any union the ability to take industrial action of any kind considering that binding decisions are being made on both parties by an independent party based on the strength of each parties arguments?

As I understand it, the pilots are challenging the FWA decision. If they are successful then that decision/order would be overturned wrt AIPA. So no arbitration and no termination of industrial action. If the order is upheld then arbitration and termination stand. Not sure there is an option to have arbitration and industrial action out of this.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[straitman]

An article re the dispute and the lack of progress.

No Sign Of Progress In Qantas-Union Talks

Nov 13, 2011

By Adrian Schofield

The deadline for Qantas and three of its unions to reach contract agreements is fast approaching, and it appears that little progress has been made in reconciling labor-management differences.

Australia’s top labor court on Oct. 31 set a 21-day deadline for the sides to reach agreement. Half of that period has already gone, and statements from union leaders last week signal that deals are not close. Fair Work Australia (FWA) has ruled that the disputes will go to binding arbitration if the parties fail to reach agreements, although FWA can grant another 21 days if there are signs of progress.

 

[Blackadder]

Seems like Qantas wouldn't extend the 21 days.

Rolling coverage: Qantas talks collapse as pilots accuse airline of sabotaging negotiations | News.com.au

 

[harvyk]

Seems like Qantas wouldn't extend the 21 days.

Personally I don't really blame QF for not extending the 21 days... If neither side will budge on their terms which is what I gather has happened, an extra 21 days would do nothing. Take it to the arbitrator get them to make the decision for both parties get on with life - makes sense to me.

I personally hope the unions agree to follow what ever decision the arbitrator makes. I have a feeling however that they won't and as soon as industrial action bans are lifted we'll see something from the TWU and the ALAEA, just because the artibrators decision is binding doesn't mean they have to like it. Given the relatively subtile nature of the AIPA actions (I didn't even know about the red tie thing until it was mentioned in the news) I doubt we'll see much from them.

 

[straitman]

I personally hope the unions agree to follow what ever decision the arbitrator makes. I have a feeling however that they won't and as soon as industrial action bans are lifted we'll see something from the TWU and the ALAEA, just because the artibrators decision is binding doesn't mean they have to like it. Given the relatively subtile nature of the AIPA actions (I didn't even know about the red tie thing until it was mentioned in the news) I doubt we'll see much from them.

Agreed.

The nurses in Victoria have proven how much power FWA seems NOT to have :!:

 

[amaroo]

Personally I don't really blame QF for not extending the 21 days... If neither side will budge on their terms which is what I gather has happened, an extra 21 days would do nothing. Take it to the arbitrator get them to make the decision for both parties get on with life - makes sense to me.

I personally hope the unions agree to follow what ever decision the arbitrator makes. I have a feeling however that they won't and as soon as industrial action bans are lifted we'll see something from the TWU and the ALAEA, just because the artibrators decision is binding doesn't mean they have to like it. Given the relatively subtile nature of the AIPA actions (I didn't even know about the red tie thing until it was mentioned in the news) I doubt we'll see much from them.

Excellent article in the weekend edition of AFR regarding the TWU & the links they have within the AUS Government & the USA - union Teamsters. IMO, the TWU are the maverick union and probably unlikely to play by the rules - lets hope they do.

The senator that chaired the recent senate hearing into QF was a 14 year TWU office holder & decades long TWU member.....doesn't get much better than that for a fair & unbiased chairman:!:

 

[medhead]

Agreed.

The nurses in Victoria have proven how much power FWA seems NOT to have :!:

Last I heard the nurse were back at work.

The senator that chaired the recent senate hearing into QF was a 14 year TWU office holder & decades long TWU member.....doesn't get much better than that for a fair & unbiased chairman:!:

Who is that?

 

[amaroo]

Last I heard the nurse were back at work.



Who is that?

Senator Glenn Sterle.....the chairman of the senate enquiry into Qantas & the grilling of AJ.

Nice to have friends :mrgreen:

 

[amaroo]

Who is that?

Take a look at this Glenn Sterle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He has form with airline strikes.....

 

[straitman]

Last I heard the nurse were back at work.

Not unless they went back in the last couple of hours.

Today they voted to defy FWA and not go back.

 

[medhead]

Not unless they went back in the last couple of hours.

Today they voted to defy FWA and not go back.

Thanks. Last I heard was the suspension last week. Still unprotected action, that'll quickly bankrupt the union if they stay out.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[drron]

The TWU is now not going to challenge the FWA in its own name but back the pilots.
Qantas industrial action | TWU backs down on legal threat to Fair Work ruling

This statement though will throw the cat amongst the pigeons-
T

he TWU now will throw its resources into resolving the Qantas dispute through arbitration by early next year.
The union national secretary, Tony Sheldon, called on the government today to back a uniform "aviation award" for the industry, which would cover Qantas workers as well of those at Virgin, Jetstar and other airlines.
"Under a modern award covering the entire aviation industry, Qantas and Virgin would be obliged to pay appropriate rates of pay to employees," he said

How will VA respond to this?
Will they come out publicly and back QF?
If not and the TWU wins then obviously we are in for higher fares and a bit of pressure taken of QF.

 

[medhead]

The TWU is now not going to challenge the FWA in its own name but back the pilots.
Qantas industrial action | TWU backs down on legal threat to Fair Work ruling

This statement though will throw the cat amongst the pigeons-
T
How will VA respond to this?
Will they come out publicly and back QF?
If not and the TWU wins then obviously we are in for higher fares and a bit of pressure taken of QF.

Yeah, but what could the TWU possibly win? Get the government to back a uniform award? As if they would. Pattern bargaining, anyone. I think not.

 

[amaroo]

Yeah, but what could the TWU possibly win? Get the government to back a uniform award? As if they would. Pattern bargaining, anyone. I think not.

Stranger things have happen - they do control the government.......that's fact - not fiction!

What's good for QF must be good for VA. They employee the same people in the same country & same industry......actually, I'm all for this union initiative.....united we stand - paid differently we fall

VA, you should hang your head in shame - underpaying decent, hardworking Aussie....shame, shame, shame!

 

[medhead]

Stranger things have happen - they do control the government.......that's fact - not fiction!

you crack me up. Great imagination.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[amaroo]

you crack me up. Great imagination.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

Enjoy J tomorrow:mrgreen: Make sure you ask for two hot towels - that way you can ensure you clean both sides of the mouth

 

[medhead]

Enjoy J tomorrow:mrgreen: Make sure you ask for two hot towels - that way you can ensure you clean both sides of the mouth

Since liking your post, I've decided I'm not sure how to take it. Given the first bit and the smileys I'm kinda thinking the second bit isn't meant to imply I'm dribbling excrement (bovine or otherwise). So perhaps you mean that I would be dribbling in awe or something. Anyway it was nice, thanks. Service was a bit better than what I've previously experience in domestic J.




Think I might have reached my daily (self imposed) post quota with this

 

[amaroo]

Since liking your post, I've decided I'm not sure how to take it. Given the first bit and the smileys I'm kinda thinking the second bit isn't meant to imply I'm dribbling excrement (bovine or otherwise). So perhaps you mean that I would be dribbling in awe or something. Anyway it was nice, thanks. Service was a bit better than what I've previously experience in domestic J.




Think I might have reached my daily (self imposed) post quota with this

medhead - I have been totally & overwhelming inspired by your relentless struggle with fact & fiction

My post was meant to be humorous, not disrespectful - if it's been delivered incorrectly, I apologise.

 

[medhead]

medhead - I have been totally & overwhelming inspired by your relentless struggle with fact & fiction

My post was meant to be humorous, not disrespectful - if it's been delivered incorrectly, I apologise.

It was humorously delivered, hence I liked it immediately. Then I thought too much and wrote my post. My apologies for thinking too much and getting confused.

 

[The Rok]

TWU lose appeal amid fears of job losses

Seems they lost, and could now be out of pocket to the tune of $750,000.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) may have to cough up more than $750,000 in compensation to Qantas after losing an appeal over illegal strikes at four Australian airports.