FED:Qantas and engineers' union agree to truce

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2011
FED:Qantas and engineers' union agree to truce

Qantas and one of three unions at the centre of a long-running industrial dispute have
agreed to a truce.

Almost two months after Qantas chief executive ALAN JOYCE grounded the entire fleet
over ongoing industrial unrest, the airline and the engineers' union will this afternoon
present Fair Work Australia with an agreement to end the stand-off.

The Australian reports the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association has agreed
to a deal, following the nationwide approval of union members and Fair Work is expected
to ratify the deal by the end of the month or early in the New Year.

The deal is understood to see annual pay rises of three per cent and allow Qantas to
bring in new work practices, including a new licence category.

The union has also dropped its demand for heavy maintenance on Airbus A380 double-decker
jumbos to be performed in Australia, instead of in Asia.

Separate disputes between the airline and Transport Workers Union and the Australian
and International Pilots Association go to arbitration next year.

AAP RTV saj/psm/

KEYWORD: QANTAS (SYDNEY)

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