Lexi,

Yeah I am still doing a bit of Post Grad study to help prevent the gray matter from turning to sludge.

My field was Aviation Engineering where I ended up in senior management roles as the years went by.

I am retired now but remain gainfully employed, keeping off the streets and out of trouble.

Take it easy.

SD

Belly, I've read the articles in the Australian and to me it highlights
where the problem really exists. As the lady says,
in union school they teach you to be confrontational and to knock
employers senseless, with all sorts of tactics.

Her answer is that employers should toughen up. Let me tell you
something about business. Employees can make or break a company
with their attitude. Today's business environment is extremely
tough, with very small margins. If management is any good, they
are focussing on those business strategies, on global challenges
and on how that business will still exist in 10 years.

Companies need staff which are on their side, not spending their
days being confronational. If they haven't got that, they might
as well close down and invest the money in places where people
actually appreciate having a job.

Perhaps they need to start changing the way in which they train
union officials, for all that confrontational teaching will
otherwise close down company after company.

If Qantas unions think that they will achieve job security by
holding strike after strike, they are going to learn the hard way.
Qantas will shut down those routes which lose money, focus on
Jetstar and other offshore operations which do make money and
become a shadow of its former self in Australia. Then we'll hear wails of
protest by the increasing numbers of Australians who lose their
jobs. Why don't they teach them at union school, that shooting
yourself in the foot lands up with a damaged foot.

I have told you before Belly, the future is not about them and
us, as your unions teach, its about all of us being in it together.
Australian unions have a lot to learn, it seems.

Yabby,

Ref QANTAS. Sadly I think you are right, strikes are not going to solve the problem nor is anything else I have read so far on the issue.

The profits and possibly survival will be in these overseas and budget operations.

It is more a matter of minimising damage to those Australians employed by QANTAS as the changes take effect.

It will end up in tears no doubt.

Take it easy.

SD

Yabby horses for courses the multi hundreds of hours training I under took was far different.
I understood the link before sending you there.
QUANTAS, remember my information strike action is only possible now, during wage negotiations?
Are you aware AT SUCH TIMES both sides have wanted well planned out comes in mind?
And both have fall back positions.
Such saw the rise of one Robert[Bob] Lee Hawk.
He at a time both sides had a need for away out, found one.
Do you and SD not see here a last stand, an attempt by both sides to break the other.
And that once wages have been set this has been the last chance ,for both sides to achieve WHAT?
QUANTAS wants to send repairs and servicing over seas to use cheaper over seas flight attendants and pilots too, cut costs, cut Australian influence and as a result safe practice.
UNIONS
want to stop as much of that as they can, keep Australian jobs, highlight at a time costs are being cut the Axe wielding CEO is to get a $5 million bonus.
What say QUANTAS gets its every wish.
Who gains
Is this then the answer for every Australian firm.
$5 million pay rise?
On what basis is that ok but fighting for Australian jobs wrong.
Are bosses unions such as farmers ones ,even trying to change our country's FOREIGN POLICY'S ok.
Why are unionists any different than you, who puts a price on your product/work?

An understanding of the above issue is called for.
The 3 unions involved are not going to win.
They understand this.
They may save something for a time,they hope to do this.
Knowing as unions do, those effected most, the Australian public/flying customers, who it will affect the most ARE AS ALWAYS against them.
They a smaller combatants will always, pick a time that gives them a better chance, peak traveling times.
My evil, almost unclean to some, union brothers are not always driven only by self interest.
See ACTU fighting for those who are not members low income case we fight for them.
Is it our ties to Labor, then why not bosses unions ties to conservatives.
Is the 1 in 5 holding our country back, from what, starting the circle again?
That bloke at the other end of the bar sinking a few after a hard day, is he anti Australian because he is a unionist?
You,all, have got to know me, I have been proud to tell you of my membership of both the ALP, and My great union.
And of my pride forever at being once an official liked by my members and haveing more true mates on the other side than enemy's.
Nothing special about me, only this, despite my age.
I was and am tomorrows unionist not yesterdays.
Will take a shower now being proud to be unionist has me feeling dirty! like &^% it does.

*It is more a matter of minimising damage to those Australians employed by QANTAS as the changes take effect.*

Shaggy, yes I agree with you. If the unions had brains, they
would have to think along those lines too. IMHO all they are
achieving is doing more damage to their own future security.
But let them learn the hard way at yet another company.

I gather that a whole lot of planes have been ordered, but
not for Qantas, but for subsidary airlines which can actually
make money.

I used to have quite a few dealings with Qantas cargo and the
confrontational attitude between staff and management was
already clear then. To be fair, IMHO both sides were wrong,
that sort of approach does not lead to an efficient company.
Its also why I avoided buying Qantas shares when they floated,
now those mums and dads who did, have lost their shirts.
What a waste all round.