Airline is not expecting any impact from the industrial action, according to reports
Australian flag carrier Qantas is facing industrial action today (12 October) from office-based engineers who are demanding a pay increase that will "catch up" with inflation.
The industrial action will involve 120 office-based Qantas engineers who belong to Professionals Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported.
They will carry out a two-hour strike from 10am to noon AEST, and will also hold a protest at Qantas' headquarters.
They will also stop work on the airline's long-haul 787 Dreamliner and A380 aircraft, which Qantas operates for its long-haul flights to destinations such as London and New York.
"If any of these planes are in maintenance at the time that bans start, they will not be getting flown while bans continue," said professionals Australia lead organiser Jonathan Farry in a statement quoted by the SMH.
No improved wage offer
According to the report, the strike comes amid the lack of an improved wage offer from the airline, which is offering three per cent yearly increases.
The engineers, on the other hand, are asking for a 13% pay increase in the first year of their agreement, followed by a three per cent annual increase for the following two years.
The union says its demands ensure that the wages can "catch up to inflation," while also recognising the critical role of the engineers for the airline.
"It's time to reach an agreement that recognises the critical nature of the work that Qantas engineers do, and the lost wages they haven't seen over the past decade," Farry said as quoted by the SMH.
He added that it would be "unwise" for Qantas to cut costs on experts that maintain safety, warning that the next generation of specialised engineers will look elsewhere for opportunities if not provided with pay increases.
No impact expected
Meanwhile, Qantas said it is not expecting any impact from the work stoppage, noting that only engineers who are members of Professionals Australia can participate in it.
"There is no impact to our operations as a result of this industrial action," a spokesperson for the airline said as quoted by the SMH.
"We're committed to reaching an agreement that includes pay rises while ensuring we have a sustainable business."
Qantas has been facing recent strike action from union members over demands for higher pay. Last month, airport workers represented by the Transport Workers' Union launched a 24-hour strike at the Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth airports to ask for higher pay, more secure jobs, and improved safety standards.
