Travel Disruptions Expected As Qantas Engineers Plan Strike
Qantas, one of the largest airlines in Australia, could face severe travel disruptions due to a planned strike by its engineering staff. The workforce of the airline has announced that they plan to strike for 24 hours on September 28, 2021. This will be the first industrial action by the engineering staff in almost two years. The strike is expected to affect both domestic and international flights and could impact thousands of passengers.
Reasons Behind The Strike
The strike has been called by the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA). ALAEA has accused Qantas of outsourcing and offshoring skilled jobs, which has led to the loss of jobs in Australia. The association also highlighted the shortage of skilled engineers in the country.
ALAEA has stated that the strike is a last resort after the failure of negotiations with Qantas. The association alleged that Qantas has refused to acknowledge the skilled labor shortage in Australia and has not offered enough job security for the engineering staff. ALAEA has also claimed that Qantas had been hiring overseas contractors and offshoring the maintenance of its planes.
Impact Of The Strike
The strike by Qantas engineering staff is expected to cause significant disruptions to Qantas flights. The airline has already canceled over 100 flights scheduled for September 28, 2021. This has left many passengers stranded and has disrupted their travel plans. The airline has offered full refunds or rescheduled flights to the affected passengers. However, due to the short notice of the strike, passengers may find it challenging to make alternative arrangements.
The strike is also expected to affect the airline's revenue. Qantas has already suffered significant financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strike could further impact the airline's finances. The strike could also make Qantas less attractive to investors, affecting its long-term financial viability.
What Can Passengers Do?
Passengers scheduled to fly with Qantas on September 28 should check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. The airline has advised passengers to rebook their flights or apply for a refund if their flights are affected. Passengers can also contact Qantas customer service to find out more information about the strike and its impact on their flights. Passengers affected by the strike can also explore alternative modes of transportation.
Passengers booked on Qantas flights in the coming days should also stay updated on the situation as there could be residual disruptions following the strike. Passengers can check for updates on the airline's website, social media accounts, or contact Qantas customer service.
Conclusion
The planned strike by Qantas engineering staff is expected to cause significant travel disruptions for the airline's passengers. The strike has been called due to the outsourcing and offshoring of skilled jobs by the airline. Passengers scheduled to fly with Qantas on September 28, 2021, should check the status of their flights and make alternative arrangements if necessary. The strike could also impact the airline's revenue and long-term viability. Qantas and ALAEA need to return to negotiations and come to a resolution that will benefit both the engineering staff and the airline.