Qantas Airways' professional engineers look set to commence industrial action at 1700 local time today, as they are unable to come to an agreement with the airline about a pay rise.
The carrier continues to negotiate with the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists, and Managers Australia (APESMA), says Qantas. The union plans to commence protected industrial action this evening "in the form of work bans that include work outside normal hours."
"We remain disappointed that the union is taking this unnecessary action," says a Qantas spokesman.
"The contribution our professional engineers make to our operations is highly valued," he adds, but says that the engineers' demand for a 30% pay rise over three years is "unreasonable and unsustainable".
The carrier is "absolutely committed to finding common ground", says the spokesman.
Qantas employs approximately 190 professional engineers in an engineering workforce of around 5,500.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
