Qantas to outsource ground handling across Australia

[kelvedon]

No consequences for the former CEO nor the former chairman of Qantas.

Nor for the current CEO.

Referring to the arms length at which Joyce was kept from owning the decision, Justice Lee commented “with a sense of disquiet and uncertainty as to precisely what went on within the upper echelons of Qantas leading up to the outsourcing decision”.

 

[DejaBrew]

Qantas statement -:

Today's judgement holds us accountable for our actions that caused real harm to our employees.

Qantas Group chief executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said: "We sincerely apologise to each and every one of the 1,820 ground handling employees and to their families who suffered as a result.

"The decision to outsource five years ago, particularly during such an uncertain time, caused genuine hardship for many of our former team and their families.

"The impact was felt not only by those who lost their jobs, but by our entire workforce.

"Over the past 18 months we've worked hard to change the way we operate as part of our efforts to rebuild trust with our people and our customers. This remains our highest priority as we work to earn back the trust we lost."

The $90 million penalty will be paid in accordance with the orders of the Court.

Qantas has also paid $120 million into the compensation fund for all affected former employees, which is being administered by Maurice Blackburn.

 

[RooFlyer]

Am I the only one thinking this is actually not a large fine and really QF would have probably paid it if given the choice between retaining ground handling inhouse or outsourcing?

Justice Lee described it as “the cost of doing business”.

He wasn’t being complimentary on the cynicism of the company.

Cost isn't always in cash. As usual, Lee's well crafted words do furthet damage to Qantas and its reputation than money alone perhaps might.

 

[justinbrett]

Justice Lee described it as “the cost of doing business”.

He wasn’t being complimentary on the cynicism of the company.

Cost isn't always in cash. As usual, Lee's well crafted words do furthet damage to Qantas and its reputation than money alone perhaps might.

Meh. This is such an old story, I predict after the 24 hour news cycle, nobody will be talking about it.

 

[moa999]

Meh. This is such an old story, I predict after the 24 hour news cycle, nobody will be talking about it.

Agreed. The work has been outsourced for over 4yrs now.

It really just puts a ruler under the Goyder/ Joyce era, and the somewhat wild world that was the Covid period, where Qantas's biggest competitor also went broke costing lots of jobs as well.