Qantas grounds all flights due to industrial action

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15504838

Very short notice industrial action, hope this doesn't affect any vflyers!

I also hope that people can find alternative flight options and get home safely.

I do think this is a very clear message both for passengers, in terms of there is no off or on - simply an off, and also that unions do not work in the 21st century, global economy.

It's also great news for Virgin Oz, one of the hurdles has been tempting passengers away to experience the edge that they have in service.

pilots wanted 2.5% pay rise to keep up with inflation. Alan Joyce gave himself a 66% pay increase to keep up with Branson

Unions do work in the 21st century - They stop Employers taking liberties with the basic working rights of the employees.

Alan Joyce is just another weak CEO trying to line his own pockets whilst demanding that the rank and file put up and shut up.

JB

I have friends stuck in Bangkok currently waiting for a Qantas flight back to Oz. One is a retired Qantas employee and he has been saying for a while now that the new work schedules and pay scales being introduced are so bad he has real concerns for the quality of crew the airline will attract.

just to add my two penneth....cooperation with the union helps to protect everyone and ensure harmony - productivity.

just to add my two penneth....cooperation with the union helps to protect everyone and ensure harmony - productivity.

Indeed and it is often a sign of management failure to properly engage with their workforce that causes the tensions.

And whilst the union is taking indyustrial action it is the company that decided to ground the flights and not even try to operate some.

This is not a good scenario for the pax.
However, from what I have seen happening here in the rail industry in which I work the unions have significant influence on day to day operations. Eg the unions are seeking agreement for unskilled labourers to earn $110k a year (including overtime and other enhancements).

Everyone is focussing on the red herring of pay rises, what the unions want and what the CEO got. The real issues are the other demands they are looking for - I am not going to quote them here.

The reality is Virgin Australia is out to steal premium pax from QF domestically and their cost base is high when compared to International competitors (middle east and asia). QF need to make changes to survive internationally and keep their domestic costs down.

The damage to the brand has already happened here, see my previous post about DJ.

Whilst it is not good news to ground the fleet - my personal view is that someone has to stand up to unrealistic demands.

We arrived into LAX a few hours ago from HNL- as we were taxing the pilot pointed out the row of QF 747s that were lined up in darkness and said there were 15 QF planes in LAX, and that they were unlikely to be going anywhere for the foseeable due to all QF flights being cancelled . It appears that all the airport hotels here are fit to bursting (including ours ! ) with lots of unhappy passengers unable to get home.
DL

Great info, DL y) Here's to a good trip home

Alan Joyce says he believes grounding the fleet is the fastest way to resolve this and get flying again.

such a joke,taking the passengers as a ransom ,

All Qantas flights grounded until at least midday (01.00 GMT) Monday - latest from BBC News. n(

Latest update here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15513219