Irish born, Australian-based CEO, Alan Joyce has been sent racist threats following the on-going industrial dispute with unions. “The unions will fight you..Qantas is our airline, started and staffed by Australians, not foreign filth like you …” read one letter. However Joyce is not alone, three other employees have also been intimidated and one has had a car damaged. In one case an employee was called multiple times and then hung up on after receiving a threatening letter. “I think it is vile. I think it's cowardly. Intimidation and bullying in any workplace … is something we should not allow,” Joyce said. Dispute over pay and conditions are among the reasons for the series of recent strikes. Qantas' plan to expand its Asian markets has resulted in a series of strikes triggered by a dispute over pay and conditions and plans to cut domestic job as the airline expands. Conversely, Tony Sheldon, Transport Workers Union National Secretary has said that members of the union have also received threatening e-mails; “If you f… up my holiday in November, I'm coming looking for you f…ers! Count on it.” Another said, “The next bus leaves at mid-day be under it.” Sheldon said the union was initially going to ignore the e-mails however has now decided to take action. The union is questioning the timing and method used to publicize the allegations; “I think there are two critical questions raised: whether this is a PR stunt or whether this is a serious allegation,” said Sheldon. The police are currently investigating the cases of individual Qantas employees who faced threats. BM
