108 Qantas jobs lost at Sydney Airport

More than 100 engineering jobs will be lost at Sydney Airport after Qantas announced it was moving maintenance work to Melbourne.

The move will see 108 positions lost in Sydney but 72 created in Melbourne, representing a net loss of 36 jobs.

Qantas Domestic CEO Lyell Strambi says there is increasingly less work for engineers, and the 'consolidation' is necessary to improve productivity.

'As older aircraft are replaced with modern aircraft that have more advanced technology and require less maintenance, less often, there is a reduction in workload for our aircraft maintenance engineers,' Mr Strambi said in a statement.

'Component maintenance work is expected to reduce by 35 per cent by 2015 as a result of the retirement of older aircraft and the introduction of new aircraft.'

Qantas said it would offer affected workers relocation to Melbourne or Brisbane where possible.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), which represents the 108 engineers at Sydney Airport, has questioned the airline's strategy.

AMWU national assistant secretary Glenn Thompson said the cutbacks came just one month after Qantas announced the closure of its heavy maintenance facility at Tullamarine, with the loss of 400 jobs.

'For Qantas maintenance workers, it feels like their jobs have boarded an unpiloted, mystery flight with no strategic flight plan programmed in,' Mr Thompson said.

Mr Thompson criticised the manner in which staff were informed of the changes, saying they were left in 'shock'.

'It's unacceptable that Qantas call 160 odd workers into a room and tell them that there is a process for 108 of their jobs to leave Sydney,' Mr Thompson said.

'Qantas needs to come clean on what their long-term strategy is for Qantas engineering.'

Mr Thompson said the union would be meeting with affected employees in coming weeks to hear their concerns.

'Qantas on one hand has said there will be job losses, while on the other hand saying there is 72 jobs now.

'One hundred and eight people have uncertainty for their future.'

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   Wednesday, May 18, 2011

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   Thursday, May 19, 2011