Well the FWA cancelled all industrial action, they could be back in the air this afternoon
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-31/qantas-action-terminated-fair-work-rules/3609158/?site=newcastle
Qantas to fly after ruling ends dispute
Updated October 31, 2011 06:10:23
Industrial action terminated… Qantas domestic planes at Sydney airport
Industrial action terminated... Qantas domestic planes at Sydney airport
Qantas says its planes could be back in the air by early this afternoon after the workplace umpire put a stop to all industrial action by the airline and unions early this morning.
Fair Work Australia granted the Federal Government's application to halt the industrial action behind the shutdown after a marathon 15-hour hearing in Melbourne.
The ruling means that all parties have 21 days to negotiate a settlement to the dispute.
All Qantas planes were grounded on Saturday, leaving nearly 70,000 passengers stranded in 22 countries, and the airline had been threatening to lock out all employees from tonight.
In handing down the decision after two hours of deliberation, the tribunal said the temporary suspension sought by the three unions would not have provided enough certainty for the industry.
Qantas says the decision has provided certainty for its passengers.
In a statement, the company's CEO Alan Joyce apologised to all customers affected by the dispute.
He said some flights could be back up and running this afternoon if the safety regulator gives the go ahead.
The deadlock has already affected more than 68,000 passengers worldwide and there were fears a failure to get planes back in the air quickly would damage the national economy.
The Federal Government had applied to the industrial umpire for the termination or suspension of industrial disputes between Qantas and three unions - Australian Licensed Engineers Union (ALAEA), the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Australian and International Pilots Union (AIPA).
After almost 14 hours of evidence over two days, the tribunal, headed by Justice Geoffrey Giudice, found there was significant uncertainty arising from the protected action of the unions but in particular from the Qantas employee lockout and grounding of the fleet.
"We should do what we can to avoid significant damage to the tourism industry," Justice Giudice said.
He said the unions had sought a suspension of the protected industrial action for up to 120 days but the panel had decided that such a move would not provide sufficient protection against the risk of economic damage to the tourism and aviation industries.
Qantas and the three unions involved in the dispute will now have 21 days to resolve their impasse with the umpire's mediation. The safety regulator will need to give the go-ahead before Qantas can resume flights.
'Common sense restored'
In a press conference after the decision was handed down, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said the Government was pleased with the decision.
"We are pleased after 24 hours of turmoil, common sense was restored," he told reporters.
"We believe now that Qantas and the unions will focus on getting flying as soon as they can."
Unions had wanted an 120-day suspension of all action, whereas Qantas argued for a lasting termination.
ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence also responded to the ruling, calling for the Federal Government to ensure Qantas fulfils its obligations.
"We'll be working to make sure that those planes are in the air as soon as possible and that Qantas remains a good and viable airline that provides good jobs for Australian workers," he said.
"Fair Work Australia has recognised that it's the actions of Qantas that has the potential to cause harm to the Australian economy."
Qantas said it was losing $15 million per week due to months of strikes and other industrial action by unions.
Qantas says 447 flights have been cancelled, with furious passengers in major cities around the world vowing never to fly with Qantas again.
Mr Joyce, who ordered the lockout, made it clear he would not put his planes back in the air unless he had the "certainty" of a termination, not a suspension, of all industrial action.
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//"Fair Work Australia has recognised that it's the actions of Qantas that has the potential to cause harm to the Australian economy."//
yeah no joke, stupid decision by Qantas
//Mr Joyce, who ordered the lockout, made it clear he would not put his planes back in the air unless he had the "certainty" of a termination, not a suspension, of all industrial action.//
"bawww I need to keep my pay rise and for that to happen, people need to lose jobs"
