Qantas to close Avalon maintenance base

[MartinMemo]

Another day, another QF job lost - in this case 300.

Just watched on ABC News 24, but the best post up is on The Australian.

ABC Video - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-...-of-avalon-heavy-maintenance-facility/5078466

QANTAS is to close its Avalon heavy maintenance facility near Melbourne at the end of March 2014, resulting in the loss of around 300 jobs.
Qantas will continue to maintain aircraft at its major heavy maintenance facility in Brisbane and conduct line maintenance at 19 ports around Australia including Melbourne.
The heavy maintenance facility has been under review for several months, following the sacking last year of more than 250 engineers at Avalon by Qantas.
Qantas domestic chief executive officer Lyell Strambi said that after a comprehensive review it was clear there was no workable solution to continue operating the sub-scale maintenance facility.

The closure of the Avalon base will affect 53 Qantas employees and Qantas said it would work closely with Forstaff, which employs 246 contractors at Avalon.Qantas would try to redeploy its staff or offer “generous” redundancy packages.
- See more at: Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

 

[JessicaTam]

It is being reported as quite a blow to the local Geelong economy.

 

[Mal]

Yet another case of the Australian unions being too pushy, too arrogant and not understanding the reality of life. I feel bad for the employees, but the unions have lead the lemmings over the wall.

 

[Kendall Roy]

Yet another case of the Australian unions being too pushy, too arrogant and not understanding the reality of life. I feel bad for the employees, but the unions have lead the lemmings over the wall.

Not a fan of unions myself, but the ALAEA offered up several months of LWOP and other concessions to keep the joint running.

 

[spudseamus]

Who didn't see that coming? Really !

 

[VHOEJ]

Yet another case of the Australian unions being too pushy, too arrogant and not understanding the reality of life. I feel bad for the employees, but the unions have lead the lemmings over the wall.

Bingo. I couldn't have said it better myself. I am sure they were all happy with the payrises they got 2 years ago but it always comes at a cost.

But at the end of the day, there are less and less 747s and they will be gone one day. BNE has the A330s and 737's - A380s are done O/S. THere just isn't enough work to justify the expense.

 

[nlagalle]

Not a fan of unions myself, but the ALAEA offered up several months of LWOP and other concessions to keep the joint running.

But all that would have done was delay the inevitable. It's a pity as it was great for Geelong. but geographically it isn't even suited to outsource work either. long way to fly to get your plane serviced.

 

[Hvr]

Bingo. I couldn't have said it better myself. I am sure they were all happy with the payrises they got 2 years ago but it always comes at a cost.

But at the end of the day, there are less and less 747s and they will be gone one day. BNE has the A330s and 737's - A380s are done O/S. THere just isn't enough work to justify the expense.

So the 747s are being withdrawn and the engineers are being retrenched. How is this related to getting pay rises two years ago? There doesn't appear to be a correlation between the two.

If there isn't the work then it doesn't matter what they're being paid.

 

[BAM1748]

Yet another case of the Australian unions being too pushy, too arrogant and not understanding the reality of life. I feel bad for the employees, but the unions have lead the lemmings over the wall.

I think this really has not much to do with the unions, more to do with workshop location and aircraft types.

Matt

 

[VHOEJ]

So the 747s are being withdrawn and the engineers are being retrenched. How is this related to getting pay rises two years ago? There doesn't appear to be a correlation between the two.

If there isn't the work then it doesn't matter what they're being paid.

There is a correlation. A380s and 787's need to be maintained - as well as any other future larger aircraft. BNE has taken work on the A330's, 767's and 737's. If they were cost competitive, they wouldn't be flying A380's to Lufthansa Technik for major engineering checks.

 

[JessicaTam]

Bingo. I couldn't have said it better myself. I am sure they were all happy with the payrises they got 2 years ago but it always comes at a cost.

But at the end of the day, there are less and less 747s and they will be gone one day. BNE has the A330s and 737's - A380s are done O/S. THere just isn't enough work to justify the expense.

So you have never asked for a pay rise? Or have you turned them down when offered?

 

[nlagalle]

So you have never asked for a pay rise? Or have you turned them down when offered?

the original union demand was an outrageous payrise amount, well over 30% IIRC..

 

[tuapekastar]

Definitely a shame, like any major loss of jobs.

On the subject, I regret (but not really surprised) to say I heard Steve Purvinas say (the quote may not be word perfect but the meaning is clear) on radio this morning "the day those aircraft go offshore for servicing they become less safe"

 

[JessicaTam]

the original union demand was an outrageous payrise amount, well over 30% IIRC..

It would be interesting to know the original offer by management. Probably equally outrageously below the CPI.

 

[nlagalle]

Definitely a shame, like any major loss of jobs.

On the subject, I regret (but not really surprised) to say I heard Steve Purvinas say (the quote may not be word perfect but the meaning is clear) on radio this morning "the day those aircraft go offshore for servicing they become less safe"

I like how he says that, when some of the "issues" QF had were serviced by local engineers. I don't hold that argument as he is basically saying that only AU can service properly. So is SQ, CX, BA, LH etc unsafe to fly?

 

[mono88]

Bad news. More skilled, added value jobs being lost to Aussies.

 

[amaroo]

There is a correlation. A380s and 787's need to be maintained - as well as any other future larger aircraft. BNE has taken work on the A330's, 767's and 737's. If they were cost competitive, they wouldn't be flying A380's to Lufthansa Technik for major engineering checks.

Didn't the union want to maintain redundant/inefficient work practices.....businesses can have poor management that cost jobs - so can unions!

 

[nlagalle]

Didn't the union want to maintain old/defunct/inefficient work practices. One thing leads to another.........

Yes they did, under the guise of "safety".

Do we service new cars in the same manner as we did 20 years ago? No. It's the same for aircraft too.

 

[VHOEJ]

Yes they did - they were on a gravy train and just wanted to maintain it. They knew it too. Meanwhile the rest of the company embraces change that reduces costs.

 

[Mwenenzi]

... It's a pity as it was great for Geelong. but geographically it isn't even suited to outsource work either. long way to fly to get your plane serviced.

When Aalvon first opened they used to maintain non Aussie aircraft. Exchange rate and industrial issues/productivtiy put an end to that (mainly Forex rate). I used to see to heavies doing landings, and touch & goes when driving to Geelong (for work) years ago. For a C or D check (100's - 1000's of man hours) a few hours flying is peanuts in the overall cost. The numbers of 747 now flying for airlines with real money is less.

.... (but not really surprised) to say I heard Steve Purvinas say (the quote may not be word perfect but the meaning is clear) on radio this morning "the day those aircraft go offshore for servicing they become less safe"

So 1% (or less?) of the world's aircraft are maintained in Australia, That leaves 99% (or more) less safe, according to Steve P :evil: . Me thinks that not true. And remeber Virgin also do maintainance outside of Aust.