The AMWU is part of a powerful new alliance between the three major maintenance and engineering unions at Qantas.
The partnership, launched in October, brings the AMWU, AWU and ETU under the banner of the ‘Qantas Engineering Alliance’ – to begin a campaign to secure the future of maintenance jobs within the company.
AMWU Assistant National Secretary, Glenn Thompson, said the alliance was formed to fight for commitments from Qantas management on key issues including ongoing Qantas maintenance in Australia, investment in the skills and training of the workforce, investment in maintenance infrastructure and taking advantage of opportunities to service the Asia Pacific region.
“There are big issues confronting the sector and our unions took the view that the alliance was a good opportunity to work collectively on these.
“Qantas has a number of aircraft types that will be retiring in the coming years, around one third of its fleet in fact. This brings with it a whole new set of challenges for the sector, for jobs and skills.”
Mr Thompson said the airline’s future in Australia was dependant on a strong maintenance and engineering base.
He said AMWU members had unanimously supported the collective approach.
“This has been an 18 month process in which we’ve conducted two and three day delegates meetings as well as workshops on specific issues, we’ve conducted further meetings and mass meetings.”
Meetings in Brisbane and Sydney were conducted in the past two weeks. A QEA meeting will take place in Melbourne on Tuesday next week.
Stuart Cook, an AWMU delegate from the heavy maintenance hanger in Brisbane, said the new collaborative approach had been welcomed by members.
"There are definitely benefits. We have a bit more pull coming together, Qantas will show more respect for three unions working as one.
"In the past they have always played one union off against another, it's been part of their strength. If they can see three unions working together it goes against the way they bargain."
Mr Cook said the retirement of the fleet remained a major sticking point for Alliance members.
“It seems Qantas has no intention of doing any of the heavy maintenance on the new aircraft, we need to put pressure on to change that view.
“You wouldn’t speak with too many people who feel their jobs are safe, there is no way our jobs are safe."
More information is available at www.ourfutureatqantas.com.au/
Regarding the Qantas lock out
The announcement of the Qantas Engineers Alliance was made prior to the unprecedented action by Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce, to ground the airline on Saturday.
While AMWU, AWU and ETU members were not part of current industrial action, AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, was involved in the action in Fair Work Australia which saw the lockout terminated and flights return on Monday.
Mr Oliver expressed disgust at the contempt Alan Joyce and the senior executive team had for their customers and staff by taking such extreme and unnecessary action.
With the TWU, LAMEs and pilots dispute now in a resolution process in Fair Work Australia, Mr Oliver said the issues raised by the Qantas Engineers Alliance would be all the more important for the future of the airline.
“It’s going to be tough for Qantas to get over the serious damage inflicted by Alan Joyce but Qantas workers will be trying hard to win customers back and put this disaster in the past.”