QF & Industrial Action tomorrow (20 Sept) - changes/cancellations

[markis10]

Reprinted in full from the media release, please note there is a waiver in place:

Update on impact of TWU strike on Qantas passengers

Sydney, 19 September 2011
More than 6,100 passengers will be affected by tomorrow’s strike by the Transport Workers Union with Qantas forced to cancel 28 flights and delay a further 27 flights by up to 35 minutes.
Qantas has been able to significantly reduce the full impact of the strike by using larger wide-body aircraft and deploying Australian-based Qantas management to act in operational roles.
There could be further delays over the next two days as a result of the flow on effect from the strikes and the 48 hour ban on working higher duties.
Customers wishing to get up to date flight details should visit qantas.com. Customers on cancelled flights or flights delayed by more than 15 minutes will be contacted.
Qantas Group Executive Olivia Wirth said the airline was focussed first and foremost on getting passengers to the destinations as quickly as possible.
“We apologise to our passengers who will be caught up in this strike action from the Transport Workers Union. The TWU is intent on causing disruptions to Qantas passengers and we are doing everything we possibly can to reduce the delays and cancellations,” Ms Wirth said.

Ms Wirth said that the TWU were taking strike action as part of an ongoing pay dispute.
“The TWU are asking for 15 per cent pay increase over the next three years which is just not sustainable in the current economic climate and when these employees are already the highest paid in the Australian aviation industry,” she said.
“The union is also trying to place restrictions on Qantas which would remove our flexibility to scale up or scale down our workforce in line with busy and quiet periods.
“The TWU is willing to allow its members to be paid 12 per cent less at Virgin and to enable them to have a lower pay scale for new starters but they are demanding that Qantas does not have the same flexibility,” she said.
“We have been in negotiations with the TWU since May and are willing to offer reasonable pay increases. We encourage the TWU to remain at the negotiating table instead of going on strike.”
The TWU claim includes:
- 5 per cent pay increases for every year of the agreement.
- An additional one per cent compulsory employer superannuation contribution every year of the agreement.
- Requirement for site rates.

Ms Wirth said Qantas was very concerned that three unions were working together to attack Qantas in a coordinated campaign.
“While Qantas is focused on building a better airline for our customers, employees and shareholders, three separate unions are taking coordinated industrial action and holding our passengers to ransom," she said.
“Strike action by the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association in Sydney tomorrow will see more than 800 passengers affected by six flight delays.
“Since the engineers’ union started taking action in late August more than 10,000 passengers have been affected.”

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (5180a)
Email: [email protected]

The following commercial policy options are available to Qantas customers holding a valid Qantas (081) ticket issued on/before 20 September 2011 who are directly affected by schedule activity (ie cancelled and retimed flights resultings from TWU industrial action) for travel 20 September 2011.
Passengers may, without fee:

• Rebook to alternative Qantas flights (including QF codeshare flights operated by BA).
• Re-route travel via the most direct routin using Qantas.
• Re-route travel to return to the origin port via the most direct routing using Qantas.
• Change destinations. The value of the existing ticket can be used towards the purchase of a new ticket. If the new fare is more expensive than the existing ticketed fare, the fare difference is payable by the passenger. Applicable taxes may apply.
• Retain the value of the new ticket in credit for future travel within 12 months from the original ticketed date of departure. If the new fare is more expensive than the existing ticketed fare, the fare difference is payable by the passenger. Applicable taxes may apply.

Conditions

• Changes permitted to tickets issued on/before 20 September 2011 for tavel on 20 September 2011.
• All changes must be made prior to departure.
• Changes permitted on the day of departure.
• New travel dates must be within ticket validity.
• If the same booking class is not available, the lowest booking class within the same cabin may be booked (eg within Business or Economy class).
• Any third party costs/penalties, such as hotel or other ground operator fees incurred will not be waived by Qantas.
• All othe rules and conditions of the ticket remain unchanged.
• This policy also applies to customers who are booked on codeshare flights operated by Qantas.

Un-ticketed bookings
For un-ticketed bookings, flights can be rebooked subject to availability and tickets issued in accordance with fare conditions.
Tickets validated to other carrier (non 081)

• Rebook to alternative Qantas flights.
• Re-route travel via the most direct routing using Qantas.
• Re-route travel to the return to the origin port via the most direct routing using Qantas.

Frequent Flyer Redemption Tickets
Passengers travelling on redemption tickets are entitled to the same options and conditions as listed above.
Note: Passengers on partner airline services are able to re-book or re-route subject to redemption seat availability only.

 

[markis10]

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail...as-domestic-services-on-20-september-2011.pdf

PDF with the summary of changes.

 

[QF WP]

A week ago I was considering flying today to SYD, now I'm glad I chose not to go. Ouch, that will have been a big re-organisation by QF. Wonder how many pax won't be aware of the TWU action (don't check-in online etc).

 

[kamchatsky]

I will be flying adl-syd on dj tomorrow. Let's see how much chaos there will be at the airport.

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