ASU Qantas Group Bulletin – One Workforce, One Fight!

The ASU is working with the Qantas Group on a proposal to fix a long-standing problem in how airport work has been structured in Brisbane. This is a real win for airport workers - and a long-standing goal of our Union.

For years, the same work has been split across different parts of the business, with different pay and conditions applied to similar roles. That has left some workers on lower standards for work that should be recognised and valued properly.

QLink workers have always played a critical role in the success of the Qantas Group. This proposal is about recognising that contribution properly and lifting standards across the operation. As part of the proposal, QLink (Eastern and Sunstate) Customer Service Agents and Movement Control Officers would be offered employment with Qantas.

This is about bringing the workforce together, lifting standards, and closing the loopholes that have kept workers divided.

Why this is a win
For too long, the current system has held workers back and weakened collective power across the operation.The new proposal is a step toward changing that.

It would:

• bring airport work together under a stronger and fairer structure
• lift standards for workers who have been left on lower conditions
• reduce the ability to split work across entities to drive wages down
• strengthen job security and bargaining power across the operation

This is what it means to lift standards for everyone.

Why this matters for all airport workers

When the same work is divided across different parts of the business and valued differently, it creates pressures on everyone’s wages, conditions and job security. That is why this matters not just for those directly affected, but for all airport workers.

Bringing workers together under stronger standards helps stop the race to the bottom. It means the company has less room to shift work around to avoid better rates and conditions. A more united workforce is a stronger workforce.

Better pay and conditions for QLink workers

For years, QLink workers have done essential airport work without access to the same conditions as Qantas mainline workers performing similar work.

Under this proposal, QLink workers moving into Qantas would benefit from stronger conditions across key areas, including:

• higher base rates of pay
• better redundancy entitlements
• additional leave and allowances
• improved staff travel

For many workers, that will mean real improvements in take-home pay and more secure overall conditions. This is not about taking anything away from QLink workers. It is about making sure workers doing this work are recognised properly and not left on lower standards.

Important advice for QLink members

This is a significant opportunity, but every member should consider what it means for them individually. There are a small number of areas where provisions at Qantas may not be as favourable for individuals, or may operate differently to current QLink arrangements, particularly around flexibility and how some conditions work in practice.

It is important that each QLink member consider their own circumstances, including the roster arrangements, flexibility and conditions that matter most to them.

No QLink worker is forced to accept employment with Qantas.

If you have questions or concerns, talk to your Union so you can make an informed decision with the benefit of support and guidance.

Consultation matters — for all members 

This proposal now moves into an important consultation phase. Both Qantas employees and QLink employees must be properly consulted.

There are important issues to work through, including:

• how roles align in practice
• recognition of classifications, skills and experience
• protection of conditions during the transition
• how implementation will work on the ground

The ASU will be actively involving members across both workforces.

We will be:

• holding workplace meetings
• seeking members’ views on implementation
• working through classification and skills issues
• pushing to ensure service and experience are properly recognised

That is how we make sure this change is implemented properly and fairly.

What this means

This is bigger than one operational change. It is about:

• lifting standards for QLink workers
• protecting jobs and conditions across the operation
• stopping work being split into lower paid entities
• building one stronger, more unified airport workforce

When workers are divided, standards are easier to undercut. When workers stand together, standards are harder to attack. This proposal is an important step toward one airport workforce under fairer and stronger standards.

The bottom line
This is about fixing a structure that has kept workers divided and held standards back.

It is about recognising the value of QLink workers properly.

It is about protecting conditions across the operation.

And it is about bringing workers together so the company cannot use division to drive standards down.

One Airport. One Workforce. One Fight.

If you’re not yet a member of your Aviation Industry Union, join today.