In a drastic move, Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce has announced the cancellation of all domestic and international flights, to be effective immediately. The ongoing dispute between unions and Qantas has cost the carrier around $70 million in damages and $15 million weekly. Tens of thousands of passengers have been affected by the dispute. During a news conference at Sydney airport, Joyce said “they are trashing our strategy and our brand.” He continued to say that “they are deliberately destabilising the company and there is no end in sight. We are locking out until the unions withdraw their extreme claim and reach agreement with us.” The move has been met with much criticism, in particular from unions. The Vice President of the Australian and International Pilots Association, Richard Woodward says “This is a stunning overreaction. It is straight-up blackmail. I knew he was trying to kill Qantas, but I didn't know he wanted to do it this quickly.” The Transport Workers Union (TWU) National Secretary, Tony Sheldon believes that Qantas has never intended to negotiate or fix the problems. “This is a pre-conceived, pre-planned attempt to hoodwink the shareholders, hoodwink the Australian community. “Now it's trying to hoodwink the company's workforce,” said Sheldon. “Do not lose sight of what Qantas is up to here. This is about sending Qantas to Asia. We're going to stand by the workforce, the Australian brand of Qantas and not have it Asianised.” The Australia Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has called an urgent assembly of Qantas unions to discuss the lock-out of the airline staff and the grounding.ACTU Secretary, Jeff Lawrence says “Alan Joyce needs to urgently reconsider this lockout and grounding.”"This is a most unusual decision which is completely unwarranted, and will only hurt Qantas brand and customers.” BM
