The Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector branch will protest at the Qantas AGM in Melbourne tomorrow, calling on the company to reverse its decision to offshore call centre jobs to New Zealand.
ASU Victorian Branch Secretary Ingrid Stitt said that over 500 Victorian ground staff and support roles have been made redundant since February this year.
“Tomorrow we’ll be at the AGM to call on Qantas to support local jobs and reverse the decision to offshore call centre jobs to New Zealand.
“Victoria has been hardest hit by this decision, losing over 300 local call centre service jobs from the Camberwell site.
“In Victoria, we’re facing a jobs crisis. Qantas isn’t protecting their workforce, and the State Government has no plan for service industry workers. The ASU wants to know which jobs our predominantly female workforce will be able to apply for if they’re made redundant?
“2014 has been a disaster for Qantas and its employees. Bad news has followed bad news since the release of the half yearly profit statement in February this year. It’s obvious there is a distinct lack of consumer confidence, but this issue isn’t solved by slashing local jobs and sending them offshore.
“The airline needs a plan for growth, both for the sake of Qantas employees and the Australian travelling public that expects exceptional customer service.
“Qantas is happy to be the Australian national carrier on paper, but in practice they’re not exhibiting any behaviour consistent with supporting Australians,” Ms Stitt said.
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