Qantas and its engineers finally reach agreement

Qantas and the Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) have finally achieved a proposed agreement for around 1,600 of the airlines engineers.

The proposal, which has been submitted to Fair Work Australia, forms part of a workplace determination that will remain in force until 31 December 2014.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said he was satisfied an agreement had been reached and the airline had sustained the flexibility required to operate competitively in the international aviation industry.

“After such a damaging industrial campaign, this is a positive outcome that will allow Qantas to move forward with certainty,” Mr Joyce said.

The details of the proposed three-year determination includes a three percent pay increase per annum, new licensing arrangements, changes which ease restrictions on extended hours rosters and arrangements for the transition to retirement for licenced engineers.

“Throughout the negotiation process, we have been willing to offer reasonable pay increases and conditions provided the union withdraw its attempts to influence how Qantas is run,” Mr Joyce added,” Mr Joyce said.

“The proposal submitted to Fair Work Australia is a good deal for Qantas and its licenced engineers. However, it does not contain any of the restrictive demands that would have handed control of parts of the airline to the union.”