The lock down is not surprising given that both Qantas & the unions have been unable to settle this dispute. Qantas obviously (and quite rightly) wants this matter brought to ahead as it has had a negative impact on its operations and customers. It will be interesting to see what Fair Work Aust decides.
It is also interesting to read that:
1. Qantas shares have fallen over the last 5 years from $5.60 to $1.50. I don't think that the current price reflects Qantas' value so there maybe an opportunity for a bargain here.
2. 96% of shareholders endorsed the CEO's pay increase. I think the CEO's pay rate maybe linked to company profits and, if so, the increase is understandable given that Qantas returned a $250M profit last year being more thatn double the $112M from the previous year.
3. Qantas executives receive a combined salary of around $55M annually whereas their counter parts at Singapore Airlines receive about half that amount.
4. Qantas' Chairman (not Alan Joyce the CEO) has a history of locking horns with the unions especially during his time with Rio Tinto. I'm wondering if this matter has also something to do with negating some of the union's influence.
5. I don't think that salaries are the issue here. Some staff, in particular pilots, are paid a lot more than their contemporaries in other airlines. I think the main point here is the issue of "job security", ie keeping jobs in Aust, and in this age of globalisation this is something that is difficult for a company to guarantee.
The sad thing about this mess is that our national brand is being tarnished. I just hope that Qantas doesn't go down the same path as Ansett.
Fudd