Qantas may have to pay more than $100 million in compensation to 1700 baggage handlers the airline sacked illegally in what is shaping up as the biggest industrial relations loss in Australia’s history.
The estimate of the record damages bill is based on Federal Court Justice Michael Lee’s judgment on Monday that the outsourced workers would have remained employed for 12 months if not for Qantas’ unlawful action and they deserved between $30,000 and $100,000 each for the hurt and distress they suffered.
Ayesha de Kretser is a senior reporter with The Australian Financial Review covering the aviation and tourism sectors. She has previously reported on banking, mining and commodity markets. Connect with Ayesha on Twitter. Email Ayesha at ayesha.dekretser@afr.com.au
