Qantas is telling firms not to hire its ex-workers, claims TWU

The TWU has publicly accused Qantas of telling ground handling companies not to hire its redundant workers. Qantas said in response that it “completely rejects” the claims and has actively attempted to facilitate introductions to help its former staff. The union made the statement hours before it begins a landmark Federal Court case where it will attempt to force the airline to rehire more than 2,000 employees whose roles were outsourced earlier this year. Both Qantas and Jetstar removed ground handling operations this year at the Australian airports where the work was done in-house, which included Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, shifting them to businesses including Swissport and dnata. Speaking outside the Federal Court in Sydney this morning, TWU national secretary Michael Kaine accused the airline of sabotaging redundant employees’ chances of finding work at the companies that won the contracts.<br/>