As a 24-hour strike by QantasLink pilots shuts down multiple air routes in WA, disrupting the movement of holidaying families and FIFO workers.
The union representing striking regional West Australian pilots says Qantas has taken an "arrogant and intimidatory" approach to ongoing negotiations.Flights to multiple regional centres and mine sites have been cancelledQantas says it has offered an immediate 25 per cent pay increase and that the union's demands are unreasonable
Qantas said about half its regional flights were cancelled today and that about 3,500 customers were booked on other flights. But he said hopes for a fresh approach under new Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson had been dashed and that the company had been sending "threatening letters" to staff indicating they would lose established conditions if they did not accept the offer on the table.He said the union would return to the negotiating table next week and did not rule out further strike action.
"Our offer provides pilots up to 25 per cent pay increases immediately and other benefits, but the union is demanding unreasonable increases of more than 50 per cent."Midwest Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Joanne Fabling said the strike highlighted the importance of competition in the regional WA market.
"Not only will – at an individual level – resource workers be impacted by the change of shifts, but the businesses themselves have had to also engage further charter services to be able to continue doing their business."
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