Union Acted ‘Reasonably’ in Dispute with Qantas: Court In a significant legal ruling, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission has found that the Transport Workers Union (TWU) acted “reasonably” in pursuing an industrial dispute with Qantas Airways. The dispute stemmed from Qantas’s unilateral decision in 2020 to outsource ground handling operations at 10 Australian airports. The TWU, which represents Qantas ground staff, argued that the decision breached the company’s enterprise agreement and would lead to job losses and reduced wages. In handing down its decision, the commission accepted the TWU’s arguments that it had exhausted all reasonable attempts to resolve the dispute directly with Qantas. The union had engaged in mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, but Qantas had refused to reconsider its decision. The commission also found that the TWU’s conduct during the dispute, including industrial action, was proportionate to the potential harm caused by Qantas’s decision. The action had not been excessive or unreasonable, and it had ultimately been successful in forcing Qantas to reconsider its plans. The decision is a significant victory for the TWU and for workers’ rights in general. It sends a clear message to employers that they cannot unilaterally change the terms and conditions of employment without engaging in meaningful consultation with the relevant union. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine welcomed the decision, saying it “vindicates the legitimate actions taken by the union to protect the interests of its members.” Qantas has expressed disappointment with the outcome, but has stated that it will comply with the commission’s ruling. The airline said it was committed to working constructively with the TWU to resolve outstanding issues and ensure the sustainability of its ground handling operations. The legal ruling has significant implications for industrial relations in Australia. It sets a precedent for how unions can respond to unilateral changes made by employers, and it provides guidance on the limits of industrial action.Pilots’ Union Blocks Qantas Hire Plan for Airbus A380sPilots’ Union Blocks Qantas Hire Plan for Airbus A380s In a legal battle between Qantas and its pilots’ union, the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), the court has ruled that the union acted reasonably in withholding agreement to the airline’s request to hire external pilots for its Airbus A380s. Qantas launched legal action against AIPA in April 2023, alleging that the union was unreasonably blocking its plans to assign some junior pilots to roles flying the A380, the largest and highest-paying aircraft in the fleet. The airline aimed to fill 20 positions with newly trained pilots rather than utilizing existing pilots from other aircraft. However, Federal Court Justice Scott Goodman ruled that AIPA’s denial was justified. He dismissed the union’s counterclaim that Qantas had breached the enterprise agreement. Justice Goodman noted that Qantas had announced a $1.45 billion profit in February 2023. He also highlighted that the airline’s training system was projected to be “at maximum capacity” for the next four years. Qantas argued that retraining pilots for different aircraft types would strain its training resources. AIPA President Tony Lucas expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and indicated a willingness to engage constructively with Qantas on addressing operational changes. The court instructed both parties to confer on legal costs before the case returns to court.Union Acted Reasonably in Dispute with Qantas: Court A court has ruled that a union acted reasonably in a dispute with Qantas, rejecting the airline’s claims of unlawful conduct. The dispute arose over the outsourcing of ground handling services by Qantas. The union argued that this violated its collective bargaining agreement, while Qantas claimed the union’s actions were unreasonable and coercive. After examining the evidence, the court found that the union’s conduct was “legitimate industrial action.” The court noted that the union had provided Qantas with advance notice of its plans and had not engaged in any unlawful activity. “The union acted reasonably in its pursuit of its legitimate industrial objectives,” the court concluded. Qantas expressed disappointment with the ruling but said it respected the court’s decision. The union welcomed the ruling as a victory for workers’ rights. The outcome of the case highlights the importance of unions being able to engage in legitimate industrial action to protect their members’ interests.