Qantas refused to listen the first time when the Federal Court ruled that it sacked 2,000 workers illegally. Qantas workers have welcomed the news of the airline’s second defeat after it tried to overturn the initial ruling.
The first ruling came after Transport Workers Union members took on the airline giant when they were sacked in 2020 after refusing to service planes from China without the necessary protective equipment and masks.
When the Federal Court first ruled against Qantas axing their jobs, they expressed their hopes about returning to work at the company.
Instead, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce outsourced their roles in early 2021.
“This is an emphatic ruling – a unanimous decision from four Federal Court judges,” Kaine said.
“Qantas executives deliberately targeted and attacked workers and broke the law in sacking them to prevent them exercising their rights.”
“Safety, service and sentiment for the airline have all plummeted over this unlawful decision to outsource. There is only one appropriate response from the Qantas board – heads must roll,” he said.
Qantas will be delivering compensation to the sacked workers after further remedy hearings. The TWU has vowed to fight for a substantial compensation package for workers who’ve lost lifelong careers.
“It is regrettable that our flawed legal system can unequivocally find a corporate giant has broken the law but be unable to reverse it by giving workers their jobs back,” Kaine said.
“The TWU vows to take this injustice to compensation hearings and give it all we’ve got to get workers what they are owed for the pain and anguish they’ve suffered.”
The Federal Court rulings have shown the power of union members coming together to face one of the biggest businesses in the country.
Taking on one of the biggest companies in the world and coming out on top? That’s the power of your union.
Whether you’re starting your first job, changing career, or getting ready to retire, as workers, we’re all in this together.
Australian union members come from all walks of life, and we’re here to support each other on that journey, no matter where you work.
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Qantas workers win as Federal Court rules sacking of 2,000 jobs illegal for second time