Invest
TWU calls for 'heads to roll' at Qantas following court ruling
The full Federal Court has upheld a previous decision deeming Qantas’ sacking of about 2,000 workers illegal.
TWU calls for 'heads to roll' at Qantas following court ruling
The full Federal Court has upheld a previous decision deeming Qantas’ sacking of about 2,000 workers illegal.
The full court on Wednesday unanimously rejected the airline’s attempt to overturn a ruling brought down in July 2021 that declared the 2020 sacking of workers illegal, pushing the matter to compensation and penalties hearings.
The Full Federal Court, comprising of Justices Mordy Bromberg, Darryl Rangiah and Robert Bromwich, upheld the ruling that Qantas ignored protections in the Fair Work Act when it terminated ground handling and fleet presentation workers as part of a restructure in November 2020.
Qantas argued that the outsourcing decision was necessary to reduce staff costs by $100 million per year.
But the judges also refused to yield to the Transport Workers Union (TWU), which sought the reinstatement of the sacked employees, ruling that it would be inconvenient and difficult.
Responding to Wednesday’s ruling, the TWU called for the airline’s board to sack Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and the CEO of Domestic and International, Andrew David, who it deemed was a key decision-maker in this case.
The TWU also vowed to fight for a “substantial” compensation package for workers.
“Through unity, resilience and determination, Qantas workers have achieved a huge victory. After a horror 18-months having lifelong careers savagely and illegally ripped away from them, workers stood tall and took on one of the harshest and most powerful companies in the country. Today those workers have been heard, vindicated, and celebrated for their courage,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine following the ruling.
“There is only one appropriate response from the Qantas board – heads must roll,” he added.
Mr Kaine said it was “regrettable” the court did not reinstate the workers.
“The TWU vows to take this injustice to compensation hearings and give it all we’ve got to get workers what they are owed for the pain and anguish they’ve suffered.”
Qantas first announced it was looking into axing its remaining ground-handling operations in August 2020, before making the decision to do so later that year.
The job cuts were in addition to 6,000 jobs initially made redundant to offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time the TWU argued that the decision to outsource was made to prevent workers from negotiating a new enterprise agreement and taking industrial action.
Further remedy hearings are now due to take place to determine the compensation Qantas will need to pay in additional to penalties.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Economy
RBA's interest rate hike impacts Australian employment landscape
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to increase interest rates by 25 basis points, raising the cash rate to 3.85%. This move, aimed at controlling inflation, has elicited responses from ...Read more
Economy
RBA’s latest rate hike sparks debate over economic impact
In a surprising move, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate, signalling a significant shift in its monetary policy approach. This decision comes amid a backdrop of unexpected ...Read more
Economy
When inflation reopens the rate door: A broker-sector case study in defending margins, clients and share
Australia’s latest trimmed-mean inflation reading at 3.3% has revived the prospect of another Reserve Bank move and put lenders, brokers and borrowers back on a tightening footing. This case study ...Read more
Economy
Inflation rise dampens hopes for interest rate cuts as employment dynamics shift
In a development that has dashed hopes for an interest rate cut, Australia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) has surged back to 3.8%, erasing the progress made since October. This unexpected rise in ...Read more
Economy
Inflation surge poses challenges for small businesses and consumers
The latest inflation figures have sparked concern among Australian businesses and consumers alike, with the rising costs expected to influence the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) upcoming interest ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s spending surprise raises the odds of a February rate move — here’s how to protect margin and momentum
Household outlays are running hotter than economists expected, with the latest ABS readings showing broad-based gains across services and goods. That resilience is exactly the kind of demand impulse ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s inflation cools to 3.4% — why the RBA’s next move still isn’t a lay‑up for business
Headline inflation easing is good optics; balance sheets feel something different. With year‑on‑year CPI down to 3.4% in November from 3.8%, hopes for rate relief are rising — but policymakers remain ...Read more
Economy
Inflation cools to 3.4% — but the RBA’s reaction function keeps businesses on a knife-edge
Australia’s headline CPI edged down to 3.4% year-on-year in November, from 3.8%, easing immediate pressure but not eliminating the risk of further tightening. With services inflation sticky and ...Read more
Economy
RBA's interest rate hike impacts Australian employment landscape
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to increase interest rates by 25 basis points, raising the cash rate to 3.85%. This move, aimed at controlling inflation, has elicited responses from ...Read more
Economy
RBA’s latest rate hike sparks debate over economic impact
In a surprising move, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate, signalling a significant shift in its monetary policy approach. This decision comes amid a backdrop of unexpected ...Read more
Economy
When inflation reopens the rate door: A broker-sector case study in defending margins, clients and share
Australia’s latest trimmed-mean inflation reading at 3.3% has revived the prospect of another Reserve Bank move and put lenders, brokers and borrowers back on a tightening footing. This case study ...Read more
Economy
Inflation rise dampens hopes for interest rate cuts as employment dynamics shift
In a development that has dashed hopes for an interest rate cut, Australia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) has surged back to 3.8%, erasing the progress made since October. This unexpected rise in ...Read more
Economy
Inflation surge poses challenges for small businesses and consumers
The latest inflation figures have sparked concern among Australian businesses and consumers alike, with the rising costs expected to influence the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) upcoming interest ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s spending surprise raises the odds of a February rate move — here’s how to protect margin and momentum
Household outlays are running hotter than economists expected, with the latest ABS readings showing broad-based gains across services and goods. That resilience is exactly the kind of demand impulse ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s inflation cools to 3.4% — why the RBA’s next move still isn’t a lay‑up for business
Headline inflation easing is good optics; balance sheets feel something different. With year‑on‑year CPI down to 3.4% in November from 3.8%, hopes for rate relief are rising — but policymakers remain ...Read more
Economy
Inflation cools to 3.4% — but the RBA’s reaction function keeps businesses on a knife-edge
Australia’s headline CPI edged down to 3.4% year-on-year in November, from 3.8%, easing immediate pressure but not eliminating the risk of further tightening. With services inflation sticky and ...Read more
