Qantas wins "right to manage the airline" as FWA ends industrial dispute with international pilots

A bitter two-year dispute between Qantas, and three of its worker unions has drawn to a close, for the time being at least, with Australia's Fair Work Commission handing down the last of three arbitration decisions on an employment contract for international long-haul pilots.

Qantas and AIPA have until 12-Feb-2013 to provide the FWC with a draft agreement giving effect to its decision and raising any areas of disagreement in doing so.

In the decision issued on 17-Jan-2013 the FWC, (formerly Fair Work Australia) found largely in favour of Qantas, rejecting key job security claims by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) representing 1,600 long-haul pilots.

The pilots had sought to impose the terms and conditions of their employment contract on pilots beyond the Qantas mainline brand including LCC subsidiary Jetstar.