Fed: Qantas engineers overworked and losing sleep - union

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2009
Fed: Qantas engineers overworked and losing sleep - union

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - Qantas and Jetstar engineers who will walk off the job on Thursday
say they are overworked, often getting less than four hours sleep between jobs.

The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia (APESMA)
says a small group of heavy maintenance engineers from Sydney, Brisbane and Avalon could
strike for up to five business days, with more industrial action planned throughout the
month and into January.

APESMA says Qantas is refusing to negotiate a new collective agreement and will not
agree to fatigue management demands or company-sponsored professional development and
training.

The association's senior industrial officer Alison Rose said the engineers, who provided
24-hour support for the Qantas and Jetstar fleet, were often called during the night after
they had already worked an eight-hour shift.

"For example, in a 24-hour period, they might take a number of calls overnight, having
done a full day's work ... and not get enough sleep between those jobs," she told Fairfax
Radio Network on Thursday.

"So they could be getting less than four or five hours of sleep between each of the calls."

Ms Rose said the strike had been carefully planned to avoid disruption to travellers
over the Christmas period.

"There will be minimal if any impact," she said.

"The impact will be felt, obviously, if Qantas doesn't come back to the table and start
talking with us again in January."

AAP bzs/wjf/dep/bwl

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