ID :
195440
Sun, 07/17/2011 - 14:24
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https://oananews.org//node/195440
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More industrial action threats hit Qantas
SYDNEY (AAP) - Qantas flights to and from Fiji may be disrupted, with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) threatening industrial action and the Australian government warning that it is monitoring the island's treatment of trade union members.
Qantas's links to Fiji's military regime have landed the airline in a third potential area of industrial disruption, with long-haul pilots and engineers already engaged in separate disputes.
There had been a "continuing deterioration" of human and workers rights in Fiji, TWU secretary Tony Sheldon said on Sunday.
"Over recent months we have seen the military junta reduce freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly and now they want to smash the basic human right of getting a fair wage for employees and their family," Mr Sheldon said in a statement.
The comments came after a new draft decree was released by the Fijian government which could see workers in the airline industry lose up to 60 per cent of their wages, the Fiji Trades Union Congress said.
Australia has told the Fijian government that it is monitoring the human rights and safety of the island's trade union members.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said the concerns follow the Fijian regime's proposed Critical Industries Decree, which Australia regards as the latest in a series of assaults on labour rights in Fiji.
"The spate of arrests and beatings in recent months are further evidence that this is a brutal and corrupt regime," the spokesperson said.
"The Australian government is monitoring the situation in Fiji closely and protest abuses of human rights at the highest levels."
Mr Sheldon said Qantas had a responsibility to its Fijian workers who work for Air Pacific, which is controlled by the airline, and its subsidiary Jetstar.
"Qantas and the Fijian government have a close relationship through their joint ownership of Fijian national carrier Air Pacific, as well as through other business interests," he said.
"It is also up to the Qantas board to denounce this decree and protect its employees across the supply chain."
A Qantas spokesman told AAP that the airline was only a minority shareholder in Air Pacific and had no influence in the day-to-day running of the Fijian carrier.
The TWU said it was concerned about the safety of three men involved in Fiji's union movement who are returning to the country in the coming week.
A TWU spokesman said if any harm came to the three men the union would take industrial action against Qantas.
The news came after the executive committee of the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) met over the weekend to finalise industrial action plans that members would take against Qantas.
There are eight potential options on the table, ranging from five-minute to two-day work stoppages as part of an ongoing wages and conditions dispute.
AIPA said that no official announcement regarding industrial action would be made on Sunday night.
Members from the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association are also planning minor industrial action on Monday, as part of ongoing pay disputes with the airline.
Qantas's links to Fiji's military regime have landed the airline in a third potential area of industrial disruption, with long-haul pilots and engineers already engaged in separate disputes.
There had been a "continuing deterioration" of human and workers rights in Fiji, TWU secretary Tony Sheldon said on Sunday.
"Over recent months we have seen the military junta reduce freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly and now they want to smash the basic human right of getting a fair wage for employees and their family," Mr Sheldon said in a statement.
The comments came after a new draft decree was released by the Fijian government which could see workers in the airline industry lose up to 60 per cent of their wages, the Fiji Trades Union Congress said.
Australia has told the Fijian government that it is monitoring the human rights and safety of the island's trade union members.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said the concerns follow the Fijian regime's proposed Critical Industries Decree, which Australia regards as the latest in a series of assaults on labour rights in Fiji.
"The spate of arrests and beatings in recent months are further evidence that this is a brutal and corrupt regime," the spokesperson said.
"The Australian government is monitoring the situation in Fiji closely and protest abuses of human rights at the highest levels."
Mr Sheldon said Qantas had a responsibility to its Fijian workers who work for Air Pacific, which is controlled by the airline, and its subsidiary Jetstar.
"Qantas and the Fijian government have a close relationship through their joint ownership of Fijian national carrier Air Pacific, as well as through other business interests," he said.
"It is also up to the Qantas board to denounce this decree and protect its employees across the supply chain."
A Qantas spokesman told AAP that the airline was only a minority shareholder in Air Pacific and had no influence in the day-to-day running of the Fijian carrier.
The TWU said it was concerned about the safety of three men involved in Fiji's union movement who are returning to the country in the coming week.
A TWU spokesman said if any harm came to the three men the union would take industrial action against Qantas.
The news came after the executive committee of the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) met over the weekend to finalise industrial action plans that members would take against Qantas.
There are eight potential options on the table, ranging from five-minute to two-day work stoppages as part of an ongoing wages and conditions dispute.
AIPA said that no official announcement regarding industrial action would be made on Sunday night.
Members from the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association are also planning minor industrial action on Monday, as part of ongoing pay disputes with the airline.
