February 15, 2011 - In a statement released by Qantas Airlines they reported that claims being made by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) about Qantas pilots' job security being under threat are completely unfounded. 

Tragedy looms for Qantas as hard line management trashes its brand, seeks to smash its pilots. Qantas is on the brink this morning as a questionable management team shows its contempt for its workforce by refusing to negotiate job security in return for improved flexibility and productivity.

President of the Australian and International Pilots Association Barry Jackson said the situation was a tragedy, with management seemingly eager to destroy its relationship with loyal workers.

?We have been informed that regardless of any efficiencies we are willing to provide, no formal job security provision will ever be given. In other words, ?no matter how low you go, we will always look for someone cheaper?. Qantas pilots are the custodians of public safety and the true inheritors of the airline?s iconic status. Job security provisions are common in many industrial agreements and should not be an excuse for inciting a catastrophe.?

Qantas has stated that the threat of industrial action from AIPA comes during ongoing negotiations with Qantas management, including CEO Alan Joyce, for a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) for international pilots. ?The threat of industrial action is part of the union's posturing to get increased wages and conditions for international pilots as part of the EBA negotiations and to limit the ability of Qantas Group to compete with other airlines. Qantas values the contribution that our pilots make and management are committed to the EBA negotiations and have entered them in good faith. 

?Qantas has not made a pilot redundant in almost 40 years and there is no threat to the job security of our pilots. Qantas management would be very disappointed if industrial action being threatened by AIPA went ahead as it would have an impact on the business and cause disruptions for our passengers. In a meeting with Qantas management yesterday the union made no mention of their threat of industrial action. It is important to note that the overall wage claim from AIPA is not 2.5 per cent as the union has suggested. 

?The combined effect of the wage claim, classification table and travel claims submitted by AIPA is a cost increase of approximately 26 per cent over three years, equivalent to an 8.15 per cent increase year on year. Qantas rejects demands from the union that only Qantas pilots should fly planes in other Qantas Group airlines (Jetstar, Jetconnect). Jetstar is a separate company which is competing with other low-fare airlines - not with the premium service offered by Qantas. The claims made by AIPA would, if conceded, put the real job security of many thousands of Qantas Group employees at risk.?