Alan Joyce sends message to Transport Workers Union over Jetstar strikes

Following months of strike action taken by Jetstar workers, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has a stern warning for those walking off the job.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce has hit out at the Transport Workers Union whose Jetstar members on Wednesday took part in another industrial strike for 24 hours.

Across the country, airport workers united and walked off the job against Australian airline Jetstar, demanding better wages and more hours.

Almost 50 domestic Jetstar flights were cancelled over the 24-hour period as a result, a decision Mr Joyce said would have no impact on the company’s position on wages.

“Jetstar continued to deliver low fares and grew its ancillary revenue – but it faced the added challenge of industrial action at one of its busiest times of year,” Mr Joyce said on Thursday at the Group’s Half Year Financial Results.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the company would not back down over the dispute with workers. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“Our position on wages is crystal clear. We’re offering 3 per cent a year, which is above inflation and above what most companies are offering.

“No amount of industrial action will change our stance, because we can’t afford to lose our discipline on costs. That would ultimately have a very negative impact on jobs, and the challenges facing all airlines right now underscores why.”

Jetstar workers first held strikes in December last year before returning to the tactic this week, after the Transport Workers’ Union accused the budget airline of proposing an agreement “designed to keep Jetstar workers impoverished”.

Mr Joyce slammed the industrial action, saying fewer workers were taking part with each strike.

“Every time the TWU is calling for action, less and less people are taking the action,” Mr Joyce said, with a spokesperson for Jetstar confirming to news.com.au that 69 ground crew took action.

“I can say very clearly no amount of industrial action will change our position. We reward our people for the good performance of the company.”

Workers went on strike around the country. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Jetstar workers hold placards as they go on strike in Sydney. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

On Wednesday, the Transport Workers’ Union said a number of workers walked off the job for the day at Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide airports. International flights to or from Australia were not affected in the action.

RELATED: Jetstar cancels flights ahead of 24-hour strike

Jetstar cancelled around 48 of its scheduled 200 flights during Wednesday’s action. Picture: Damian Shaw

A Jetstar spokesperson told news.com.au on Wednesday that all customers impacted by the strike had been contacted and accommodated on other flights.

“To minimise the impact of the TWU’s stop-work action, we have developed a contingency plan that protects our customers’ travel, with most customers on impacted flights set to travel within a few hours of their original departure time and all customers getting to their destinations same day,” the statement read.

Senator Tony Sheldon speaks to the media as Jetstar workers go on strike at Sydney Airport Domestic Terminal. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

“To achieve this we have consolidated some services and moved other customers to Qantas flights where necessary. We contacted affected customers over the weekend to advise them of their new flight details and we thank them for their flexibility.”

Jetstar workers want more than the 3 per cent wage increase being offered. Picture: Damian Shaw

RELATED: Jetstar ground crew prepare for 24-hour strike around Australia

The aviation company allegedly broke off talks with its workers on February 10, with a final offer given without any opportunity for negotiations.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the union is “ready to talk whenever the company is”.

“The fact is these workers have no choice but to take strike action since they are desperate for more hours and are seeing their families struggle,” Mr Kaine told AAP on Tuesday.

Jetstar Group CEO Gareth Evans said it was disappointing to see TWU workers disrupt tourism at this time. Picture: James Gourley/AAP

The union has accused the airline of proposing an agreement “designed to keep Jetstar workers impoverished” but Jetstar chief executive Gareth Evans criticised the TWU for deciding to “disrupt tourism and aviation at a time when the tourism industry and the economy as a whole – small business, tourism-related businesses, small towns – are doing it very, very tough”.

– with AAP