Fed: Unions prepare for waterfront-type dispute with Qantas
Unions are preparing for a waterfront-style showdown with Qantas over the airline'splans to convert up to one-quarter of its 34,000 jobs to casual and contract positions.
Qantas chief executive GEOFF DIXON yesterday announced the company planned to increasethe number of casual, part-time and contracted employees from 15 per cent to 20 or 25per cent of its workforce.
Mr DIXON also says Qantas has trained strike-breaking teams to keep planes flying duringindustrial unrest.
ACTU president GREG COMBET says Qantas managers has told unions the real intentionof the airline is to increase the percentage of casual employees to 45 per cent, representingup to 15,000 jobs.
Mr COMBET refuses to rule out a widespread industrial campaign to try to retain permanentQantas jobs.
Mr DIXON yesterday also foreshadowed an announcement in November of a new cut-pricedomestic airline to rival Virgin Blue.
ACTU officials will meet Mr DIXON in Sydney on Tuesday.
AAP RTV bja/dk/lma/psm/
KEYWORD: QANTAS UNIONS (MELBOURNE)
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