The AMWU is writing to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce following the announcement today that 1750 jobs will be lost, seeking guarantees that no engineering and maintenance jobs will be lost.

AMWU Assistant National Secretary, Glenn Thompson said that AMWU members have previously raised concerns that job losses will undermine quality through cuts to the maintenance and engineering workforce.

“Qantas maintenance workers need to know that their jobs are secure, given that maintenance work is so essential to the quality and reliability of the Qantas fleet.
 
“Maintenance workers have been under a lot of pressure in recent times with threats to off-shore Qantas aircraft, overseas said Mr Thompson.

“Now with the drastic job cuts announced today we are concerned that if those job losses occur in the maintenance area, quality will be undermined.

“We are seeking an urgent meeting or confirmation that no job losses from maintenance and engineering will occur as a result of today’s decision.

“Qantas and the AMWU are finalising their last heavy maintenance Enterprise Bargaining Agreement in Brisbane, where management have sought further flexibilities. AMWU members will be considering those flexibilities in the context of Qantas commitment to keeping its heavy maintenance capacity within Australia.

“Over the years Qantas has made commitments to increasing and developing a strong skills base in Australia, and we hope that today’s job cuts do not damage those decisions,” said Mr Thompson.