Friday, May 24, 2013

Union takes Qantas concerns to airport

QANTAS is underpaying flight staff and importing human rights violations, the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) says.

Shouting slogans that included "What's outrageous? Unsafe wages" and "Human rights on every flight", about 60 TWU members converged on Darwin International Airport on Wednesday.

The union is holding its annual council meeting in Darwin this week and the treatment of Qantas staff has been discussed.

TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said Thai flight attendants were working on Qantas flights in Australia and only getting paid $246 per month.

"If you fly into our airspace in this country then you should have our rights," Mr Sheldon said.

He also said a partnership between Qantas and Emirates was concerning because of human rights issues in the Middle East.

"No one in this country should turn around and say that planes should be flying into our airspace and not having the same human rights that we enjoy in this country," Mr Sheldon said.

"We see Middle East carriers come in here and say that if you are a woman and pregnant, you get sacked," he told the rally.

The unionists at the airport walked through part of the facility while shaking placards and chanting.

Qantas was contacted for comment but could not immediately respond to the TWU claims.

A Qantas spokesman later said Mr Sheldon's comments about flight staff were "baseless and inaccurate".

"Jetstar cabin crew are paid at rates of pay based on where they live and work," the spokesman said.

He said Jetstar employees based in Australia were paid Australian rates, while those in Japan, Thailand or Singapore were paid on local terms and conditions.

The union has claimed Thai workers of Jetstar have been paid their home rates for several days after they arrive in Australia while they work on domestic flights.

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/union-takes-qantas-concerns-to-airport/story-e6freono-1226648472187?from=public_rss

white house easter egg roll 2012 andy cohen andy cohen mozambique oosthuizen great expectations jake owen

No comments:

Post a Comment