Although the Federal Court did not rule in its favour today, the Australian and International
Pilots Association said its members remain proud of the fact that they were the only party
involved in last yearʼs Qantas dispute not to disrupt the travel plans of passengers through
industrial action.
AIPAʼs Federal Court appeal was against the Fair Work Australia decision of last year, which
responded to Alan Joyceʼs grounding of the entire Qantas fleet by banning all industrial
action, including that of Qantas pilots.
Pilots had argued that the industrial umpire should not have banned their industrial action,
which involved wearing red ties and raising awareness, on the grounds that it was
responsible and doing no harm to the economy.
AIPA Vice President Captain Brad Hodson said although todayʼs decision had not gone the
way Qantas pilots had hoped, they remained proud of the manner in which they conducted
their industrial action last year.
“Obviously weʼre disappointed in the courtʼs decision, because we strongly believed that we
were conducting our industrial action in a responsible manner, by raising awareness of what
Qantas management were up to without disrupting the travel plans of passengers,” Captain
Hodson said.
“Thatʼs why we argued that Fair Work Australia was wrong to step in and terminate our
action in response to Alan Joyceʼs catastrophic grounding of the Qantas fleet.
“We believed – and continue to believe – that it was deeply unfair for the grossly
irresponsible and militant actions of a CEO to be rewarded by terminating a measured and
reasonable industrial campaign against his management.
“We respect the courtʼs decision today, however, we will continue to fight for the rights of
Qantas pilots to continue flying Qantas aircraft safely and proudly as they have done for over
90 years.
“We do not believe it is in the best interests of Qantas as an airline to neglect its Australian
operations and shift its resources to half-baked plans in Asia.
“Our pilots see themselves as custodians of a proud Australian icon and we will continue to
fight for Qantas.
“It is what our members want and it is what the Australian flying public wants.”
Contact: Anil Lambert (Mountain Media) 0416 426 722