Union blasts Qantas over millions in boss bonuses
Unions have criticised Qantas for offering company executives millions in bonuses following cancellations and baggage losses.
In May, the airlines' departures and arrivals were on schedule just 60 per cent of the time, while more than 7 per cent of flights were cancelled.
But the company's executives have now been promised large bonuses, the airline workers' union says.
READ MORE: Airports set for another day of delays as school holidays end
Unions have blasted Qantas for offering company executives multi-million-dollar bonuses. Oscar Coleman
Transport Workers Union National Secretary Michael Kaine said the money "rubs salt into the deep wounds inflicted upon illegally sacked workers".
"School holidays and the Easter holidays have been absolutely ruined by the decision of Qantas to illegally sack 2000 workers," he said.
"The man who made that decision has just been awarded a bonus by Alan Joyce of $1.1 million worth of shares."
In an announcement to the ASX last month, the company said four executives would receive shares worth more than $4 million.
Transport Workers Union National Secretary Michael Kaine said the bonuses wasn't good enough. Nine
The bonuses are to be paid out in August 2023 under the conditions of the retention and recovery plan.
"The time's come for Alan Joyce to go and for his management to go," Kaine said.
Executive bonuses were paused the past two financial years as the airline battled to stay afloat, receiving $2 billion dollars of taxpayer support through the pandemic.
READ MORE: Victorian government to deploy additional hospital staff under $162 million plan
Sydney Airport staff shortages due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak are expected to cause havoc as school holidays come to an end. 9News
In November 30, 2020 Qantas made the decision at 10 Australian airports to outsource ground-handling operations that had been performed by its own employees.
The grounding of flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated the situation.
In May, 2022, Qantas lost its appeal in the Federal Court after it tried to overturn a ruling that it illegally outsourced 2000 ground and baggage staff.
The court unanimously upheld the decision that the airline breached the Fair Work Act when it axed the employees during the pandemic, in favour of cheaper outsourced staff.
In a statement Qantas said; "we want everyone who contributes to our recovery to share in the success when the time is right".
Qantas has previously blamed a spike in COVID-19 cases among crew members for recent delays and cancellations.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
