However, Qantas said in a statement the action taken by the union won’t affect customers in any way, and that business is expected continue as usual.
The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia has said a number of Qantas planes could be delayed, including a number of flights under the Jetstar brand.
Engineers have claimed overnight and overtime shifts are causing workers to become fatigued, putting airline equipment at risk. The strike on overtime work will continue next week, beginning at 5pm each day, until a settlement is made.
Union director Catherine Bolger said in a statement Qantas had resumed talks regarding the ongoing dispute, but so far no negotiations have been successful and the strike is set to continue.
“All they are asking for is proper recognition of their role and their commitment to the airline(s),” Bolger said in a statement. “They also want management to address what is a serious issue of fatigue caused by long hours and after-work call-outs.”
“The industrial action may, however, result in some Qantas and Jetstar planes not being allowed to fly, causing disruptions,” Bolger said.
But Qantas executive of government and corporate affairs, David Epstein, said in a statement passengers shouldn’t be worried about the action affecting any of their flights.
“There will not be any disruption to our operations and I can assure customers that they can travel with confidence…aircraft will not be grounded and safety will, as always, remain our top priority.”
While the engineering force is only a small part of the company’s payroll, they are required to check each aircraft before it can be allowed to fly. Bolger said that some engineers have allegedly been called in to check aircraft with just five hours sleep.
“There may be some planes that are not allowed to fly if professional engineers are not there to clear them to fly,” she said.
“And we really ask that passengers understand that their gripe is with Qantas management about this. Fatigue management and professional development is a very simple thing for them to resolve.”
The union voted to take action last week, citing failure to produce a result after seventh months of negotiations. Bolger said the union is also lobbying for 30% pay increases over the next three years, but Qantas has previously said the amount is unreasonable.
“If industrial action is taken by the union Qantas has contingency plans in place, which will mean there will be no disruptions to travel or aircraft,” a spokesperson said in a statement last week. “We won’t be grounding aircrafts.”
“We remain disappointed that action will be taken and that 30% pay increases over three years is completely unreasonable,” she said.
Qantas did not return calls before publication.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
