Qantas pilots call for judicial inquiry

Posted 23/11/2011

The Australian and International Pilots Association is calling for a full judicial inquiry into the circumstances of the Qantas grounding last month, following revelations on ABC’s Lateline programme that couriers were booked to deliver lockout notices prior to the Qantas annual meeting.

Qantas announced the decision to ground its entire fleet on October 29 - a day after the AGM - in preparation for a total staff lockout on November 1.

Two couriers claimed on Lateline that on October 27, the day before the annual meeting, they were asked to work on Sunday, October 30, to help with a mass delivery of lockout notices to about 6000 Qantas staff members.

AIPA said the ABC reports are consistent with advice received by AIPA that some 3000 hotel rooms were booked in LA ahead of the AGM, seemingly in preparation for the grounding.

The pilots say the revelations directly contradict evidence given under oath to a Senate inquiry by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.

AIPA vice president Richard Woodward said that a full judicial inquiry was now needed to get to the truth of the matter.

“In light of this report there are now grave questions over Alan Joyce credibility,” Captain Woodward said.

“If these allegations, aired on ABC, are correct, Mr Joyce has lied to the Australian people, and he has lied under oath to a Senate Inquiry.”

Responding to the allegations, via AAP, Joyce has dismissed the pilots’ claims as “conspiracy theories”, saying the decision was made at the airline's board meeting on Saturday, October 29.

The collapse of talks between Qantas and unions representing pilots, ground workers and engineers yesterday triggered arbitration by Fair Work Australia - a process likely to drag on for months.

Originally published 22 Nov 2011 at: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/398/f/5923/s/1a4be4c2/l/0L0Stravelmole0N0Cstories0C1150A350A0Bphp0Dmpnlog0F1/story01.htm