Claims by Qantas boss Alan Joyce that the airline’s October grounding had been positive for the brand, have been labelled “incredibly worrying” by the pilots’ union.
Joyce told The Australian that the move, designed to break the ongoing dispute with the unions, had found support from those who believed that a stand needed to be taken against the unions.
“There was a feeling that somebody needed to stand up to the bullying and what was taking place with the union movement,” he said, adding that key corporate customers had swiftly returned to Qantas.
“I think it has ended up being positive for the brand,” he said.
Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) president Captain Barry Jackson rubbished the comments, claiming that the damage done to the Qantas brand by the grounding had been “catastrophic”.
“Contrary to Mr Joyce’s claims, the grounding did not end the dispute – it merely forced it into compulsory arbitration, which will ultimately result in a less that ideal result for all sides and the airline as a whole,” he said.
