Qantas fails to reach deal with second union
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Following its earlier failure to strike a deal with its pilots’ union, Qantas has now announced the breakdown of negotiations with the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA).
In the case of ALAEA however, neither party sought a 21-day extension to negotiations. The pilots’ union, AIPA, had wanted to extend the negotiating period, and accused Qantas of terminating talks.
Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce said he was happy to let the government mediator, Fair Work Australia, resolve the matter.
“We haven’t been able to reach a new agreement with the ALAEA so we will now let the independent umpire decide,” Joyce said. “We will continue to explore any opportunities with the licensed engineers’ union to reduce the number of matters that need to be arbitrated on.”
Fair Work Australia has banned the unions from taking industrial action while the matter remains unresolved.