Dogfight over Qantas UK pay
Qantas cabin crew in Britain want more money.
Scott Rochfort, Sydney
June 8, 2006
IT WAS designed to save Qantas $18 million a year. But the cost of a 400-strong flight attendant crew base in London is rising.
Qantas is facing growing disharmony with its British flight attendants, who are unhappy that they are paid 20 per cent less than their British Airways counterparts.
The British crews are also unhappy Qantas is offering the 200 Australian flight attendants seconded to the London base early last year $10,000 a year to stay until 2008.
Morale among Australian flight attendants in London — who receive an estimated £24,000 annual package ($A60,000) — is said to be rock-bottom because of the cost of living in London. While the Australian crews are paid slightly more to work in London, they have to work more hours.
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