Qantas engineers apply for protected action ballot

“The work of these professional engineers is fundamental to the operation of the airline,” the union said in a statement.

“They develop and maintain engineering systems across the Qantas fleet, undertake compliance work, support the introduction, modification and repair of aircraft and provide critical engineering authorisations and airworthiness sign-offs.”

According to Professionals Australia NSW director Justine McCarthy, the engineers have seen “below-inflation wage increases, leaving them significantly behind” following a COVID pay freeze.

“These are highly skilled professional engineers undertaking critical work that keeps the Qantas fleet operating safely and efficiently,” she said.

“They have been negotiating with Qantas for more than a year, but the company has still failed to put forward a reasonable wage offer that recognises their skills, responsibilities and the value they provide to the business.

“Our members accepted a pay freeze during COVID and have received below-inflation increases ever since. They have gone backwards in real terms while their workloads, responsibilities and productivity have continued to grow.”

VIEW ALL

>

The potential industrial action could include stop-work action ranging from an hour to seven days; bans on work across specific projects; and bans affecting “critical engineering authorisations and sign-offs required for fleet operations”.

According to McCarthy, members have “provided Qantas with detailed evidence demonstrating increased productivity and the significant expansion of their responsibilities as the airline introduces and expands new aircraft fleets”.

“Qantas is making enormous profits while the professional engineers who are fundamental to its operations are being asked to keep accepting wages that see them going backwards compared to the cost of living,” she said.

“Our members have unanimously endorsed taking the next step towards protected industrial action because they want Qantas to recognise their true value and deliver a restorative pay increase.

“If industrial action becomes necessary, it has the potential to significantly disrupt normal Qantas operations and delay long term projects critical to the future success of the airline.

“Our members do not want it to come to that. Qantas can avoid disruption by coming back to the bargaining table with a fair and reasonable wage offer that properly recognises the contribution of these highly skilled professionals.”

Qantas is continuing to meet with Professionals Australia for negotiations, with a spokesperson for the airline saying there is “no immediate risk of industrial action from this workgroup”.

“We’re committed to reaching an agreement that includes pay rises while ensuring we have a sustainable business,” the spokesperson said.

Any industrial action would not take place for at least two weeks, and Australian Aviation understands the Flying Kangaroo has contingency plans to minimise any disruption.