Friday 12 August 2022 04:43 PM Qantas and Jetstar engineers are set to walk off the job as they vote in ... trends now
Qantas and Jetstar engineers could strike within weeks in the latest bout of chaos for Australia's airlines.
Maintenance engineers voted to take the industrial action, with 90 per cent of the 700 union members saying yes as they continue to demand pay increases.
The move will affect Qantas, Jetstar and fly-in-fly-out operator Network Aviation.
Qantas Engineering Executive Manager Scott McConnell says the threat of industrial action is the 'last thing travellers need'.
The impending strikes are just the latest setback for Australia's airlines after months of chaos.
Maintenance engineers voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to get pay increases (pictured, a Qantas engineer at work)
The ALAEA union said it hopes the airline will return to the negotiating table (pictured, a Qantas plane preparing to take off in Sydney)
Earlier this month, Qantas was forced to ask senior executives to leave their cushy jobs and work full-time as baggage handlers for up to three months as the airline battles staff shortages.
Colin Hughes, the airline's chief operating officer, wrote to high-level staff last week saying it was looking for at least 100 managers to work in a variety of airport roles for up to five days a week.
Mr Hughes said there was 'no expectation that you will opt into this role on top of your full-time position', but noted it was a necessary action to take as a response to growing criticism of Qantas' ability to handle passenger demand.
Flight cancellations have been widespread for Qantas and other airlines. They.have largely been attributed to a lack of aircrew including pilots and hostesses in ongoing Covid circumstances.
IT glitches in the Qantas system at the start of the month saw 41 flights out of Sydney and Melbourne cancelled in a single day.
Understaffing and technical difficulties over the winter school holiday period also saw huge delays
