Unions join to oppose Australian government’s aviation white paper

Unions join to oppose Australian government’s aviation white paper

CANBERRA, (Xinhua) — Aviation workers on Thursday joined together under a new union conglomeration to oppose elements of the Australian federal government’s aviation white paper.

Airline staff including flight attendants, engineers, caterers and baggage handlers have formed the Australian Aviation Unions Federation (AUF).

The federation has comprised more than 20,000 workers and members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) and the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers.

TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said the objective of the federation was to unite the expertise, skills and experience of the various unions to create a stronger voice for aviation workers and their families.

FAAA secretary Jo Ann Davidson said the federation has made sense for flight attendants and their families.

“It will allow us to deliver a safer, better and more rewarding industry by drawing on the federation’s combined skills, experience and resources,” Davidson said.

The federation has opposed to plans by the federal government in its aviation white paper to increase competition to Australian- based airlines by opening more ports to foreign carriers.

It said the competition was unfair and will undercut Australian safety and security standards, as well as conditions.

Other key objectives of the union include defeating proposed regulatory changes to reduce domestic cabin crew ratios and stop the outsourcing and contracting out of safety functions to the cheapest provider, including offshore maintenance.

The federation said it would seek a government inquiry into aviation outsourcing and its impact on industry safety and security standards.

Editor: An
English.news.cn   2010-05-06 10:43:53

News Related Posts

• State accepts Australian federal government’s offer on health reform
• Australia to spend billions more in asylum seeker management
• Australian federal gov’t urges to increase minimum wage
• Australian government stays firm on mining tax
• Australian gov’t urges not to trust in miners’ tax campaign
• Two states still negotiating with Australian PM on health reform
• Australian government and resources industry should collaborate to advance diplomacy: Report
• S Australian gov’t meets with BHP boss on mine tax
• Australian Greens want action on asylum seekers
• Australia launches research center to review gambling addiction
• Australian gov’t to sell its budget
• Australia’s budget cashes for intelligence review
• Australia not to seek compensation for rescuing U.S. teenage sailor
• Greens says budget shows Australian gov’t gave up on environment
• Islamic finance is key for Australia’s regional financial center
• Australian gov’t urged to monitor water flow
• Australia to step up penalty against use of illegal workers
• Australian government delivers 300,000th computer to school program
• Australian government announces plan on disability trusts

Short URL: http://www.siamdailynews.com/?p=28803

Posted by Siam Daily News on May 18 2010. Filed under Asia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry