Fed: Qantas workers to hold secret ballot on wage offer

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2001
Fed: Qantas workers to hold secret ballot on wage offer

MELBOURNE, Dec 10 AAP - Qantas maintenance workers will hold a secret ballot of members
this week to vote on a 14-point wage offer put forward by the airline today.

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission recommended the secret ballot after
two days of talks between Qantas and union officials failed to agree on a deal.

Unions are calling for a wage increase at least in line with inflation.

Qantas has refused and called on maintenance workers to accept a wage freeze which
has already been accepted by its other employees.

The 2,500 Qantas maintenance workers will also vote on whether to escalate work bans
which resumed at midnight last night after a 24-hour ceasefire.

So far the bans have had no impact on flights but Australian Manufacturing Workers'
Union secretary Doug Cameron said any impact between now and Christmas would be Qantas'
fault.

Mr Cameron accused Qantas of being arrogant and belligerent in its attempts to force
its lowest paid workers into accepting the wage freeze.

"The Qantas market share has gone up ... yet they want to cut workers' wages. That
is unacceptable," Mr Cameron said.

Australian Workers Union national secretary Bill Shorten said unions were happy to
conduct a secret ballot as recommended by the commission and accepted by Qantas.

"I only hope Qantas are prepared the accept the workers' decision," he said.

AAP jmw/kc/clr/pw/sb

KEYWORD: QANTAS LEAD

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