THE Transport Workers Union has welcomed Senate motions setting up an inquiry into the survival of the aviation industry and calling for a halt to the outsourcing of 2500 Qantas workers.
Both motions passed the Senate on Monday afternoon after aviation workers visited Canberra to urge politicians to back them.
TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the Senate’s move has given aviation workers hope for their futures.
“Thousands of aviation workers have been stood down from their jobs for months and the Federal government has no plan to ensure they can get back to their jobs. With these motions we hope to see a strategy put into place reflecting the crisis aviation is in and what needs to be done to rescue it,” he said.
“The Senate has taken the unusual move of condemning a company over its treatment of its workers. We hope Qantas management will listen to the Senate and halt the outsourcing its 2500 baggage handlers, ramp works and cleaners.
“We look forward to seeing senior executives in aviation hauled up before the Senate to explain the decisions they have made, including the Qantas move against workers which will affect workers but also the airline’s standards on service, safety and security,” Mr Kaine said.
Over a billion dollars in public money has been spent to keep the aviation industry afloat since the pandemic began.
“The Federal government has failed to tie any conditions to that money and CEOs continue to pay themselves millions while workers are losing their jobs. Meanwhile Rex is able to purchase planes to take on Virgin,” Mr Kaine said.
