Qantas unions plan to voice concerns at AGM

Australian and International Pilots Association, Australian Services Union and Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association members plan to attend Qantas' AGM today (29-Oct-2010) to voice their industrial relations concerns (The Australian, 29-Oct-2010). ASU plans to express its concerns over CEO Alan Joyce's long-term incentive plan and will recommend shareholders vote against the carrier's remuneration report. It will also recommend against the re-election of Chairman Leigh Clifford and Director Paul Rayne for their involvement in large termination payments for previous CEO Geoff Dixon and the re-election of Director Patricia Cross for being part of the board that voted to privatise Qantas. ASU is in negotiations with Qantas for a new collective agreement and has requested a 5% p/a wage increase, up from 3% (AAP, 28-Oct-2010). The union claims the 3% rise p/a does not reflect improved productivity and is lower than average wage increases in the private sector. ALAEA is also in a pay agreement dispute with the carrier for employees of subsidiary, Sunstate.