By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Qantas Airways will compensate workers in landmark case
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Aviation > Airlines > Qantas Airways will compensate workers in landmark case
AirlinesAviation

Qantas Airways will compensate workers in landmark case

Anastasiya Kharitonova-Trofimova
Last updated: 24 October 2024 17:14
By Anastasiya Kharitonova-Trofimova 3 Min Read
Share
Ex employees of Qantas celebrate with their legal team as they depart the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney
Ex employees of Qantas celebrate with their legal team as they depart the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney © STEVEN MARKHAM
SHARE

Sydney’s Federal Court ordered Australian Qantas Airways to pay $114,000 to three baggage handlers unlawfully fired in 2020. The three employees, out of 1700, are the first to receive compensation following their illegitimate termination during the pandemic.

The court case

Federal Court Judge Michael Lee ordered compensation to each of the 3 fired workers for the “harm sustained” upon the illegal layoff. The three workers were the first test cases in the Transport Workers Union (TWU) trial. The trial resulted in the layoff of 1700 workers, followed by the cheaper outsourcing of new workers for the role.

Qantas attempted to appeal the 2021 court decision, claiming that the layoffs were warranted. The airline contended that the financial difficulties the airline faced after the COVID pandemic would have necessitated the layoffs in 2021. The federal court denied the appeal, ruling the firings unlawful in 2021.

In the third worker case, the illegitimate firing had triggered a “major psychiatric illness,” which will affect his life for years to come.

Ex employees of Qantas celebrate with their legal team as they depart the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney
Ex employees of Qantas celebrate with their legal team as they depart the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney © Steven Markham

Outcome for Qantas

Australian Qantas Airways apologised to the workers in a statement following the decision. They said that

“We recognise the emotional and financial impact this has had on these people and their families.”

Qantas also promised to expedite the compensation payments to the 3 workers. Furthermore, Qantas will collaborate with a trade union to determine compensation for the remaining employees. After working out a deal with the TWU, Qantas will return to court on November 15th. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine claimed that the airline will likely owe over $100 million in compensation.

Michael Kaine further claimed that not only were the workers quickly and unlawfully laid off, but Qantas should also compensate for the 4 years of “Hell” the airline put the workers through during the court proceedings.

TWU Assistant National Secretary Nick McIntosh said:

“The Federal Court has today sent a powerful message to corporate Australia that if you engage in this sort of behaviour, you will be held to account.”

Qantas workers win outsourcing case at High Court
Qantas workers win outsourcing case at High Court © Transport Workers’ Union

What do you think about this case? Will it set a precedent for other carriers moving forward? Let us know in the comments below

You Might Also Like

Air Malta vs. Malta Air: What’s the Difference?

ITA Airways Announces Winter Season Highlights

Ryanair Issues Urgent Plea for Passengers to Demand Action from ATC

New deal will greatly benefit Aer Lingus loyalty members

Flexjet Reveals Exclusive Collaboration with Luxury Luggage Brand, Globe-Trotter

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Anastasiya Kharitonova-Trofimova
By Anastasiya Kharitonova-Trofimova
Aviation Reporter - A second year international politics student from City, university of London, Anastasiya is a journalism intern with a keen interest in aviation and travel industries.
Previous Article Boeing workers wave picket signs as they strike on September 15, near the company's factory Boeing strike continues as workers reject wage deal
Next Article KLM leads in sustainable aviation with the Aviation Challenge
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

A photoshoot of the inflight meal that includes a cheeseburger, Caesar salad, fires and brownie. Also included in the photo is a glass of beer and a hand holding the brownie.
Delta announces new partnership with Shake Shack
Airlines Airports Travel
Avelo Airlines plane on the runway
Avelo Airlines Celebrates its Second International Destination
Airlines Aviation Route Development Travel
3 men and a SARDA IN search and rescue dog in front of an easyJet plane
Search and rescue dogs given free cabin travel on selected easyJet flights
Aircraft Airlines Aviation Travel
Estonian Nordica aircraft flies over sea and mountains
Estonia’s state-owned airline Nordica files for bankruptcy
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation
A TSA officer checks a passenger's carry-on baggage
TSA intercepts loaded gun from airline crew member’s carry-on
Airlines Airports Aviation Incidents & Accidents
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2024| ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?