'Some very painful decisions': Qantas throws weight behind JobKeeper extension

Qantas CE Alan Joyce has called on the Morrison government to extend the JobKeeper program for industries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic after the airline announced it would sack 6000 workers and cut $15b in costs. Australia's largest airline Thursday said it would not resume any significant international flying for another 12 months, leaving it no choice but to make 20% of its workforce redundant. Another 15,000 of Qantas' 29,000 workers will remain stood down without pay until traveller demand recovers, with around 7500 not expected to return to work this year. "We have to position ourselves for several years where revenue will be much lower," Joyce said. "Adapting to this new reality means some very painful decisions." Unions representing Qantas workers blasted the airline for announcing the lay-offs before the federal government reviewed and possibly extended the JobKeeper wage subsidy for aviation workers. They also called on government to do more to help the industry during its greatest crisis in history. "Instead of cutting workers’ jobs and continuing stand-downs, Alan Joyce should redouble efforts to secure urgent government intervention," Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil said. Joyce said he was having "constructive" discussions with the government about “JobKeeper or some alternative form of support” after the wage subsidy scheme ends in September.<br/>