Fed: Qantas workers refuse to be stood down
MELBOURNE, Feb 1 AAP - Qantas workers in Melbourne are ignoring the airline's attemptsto stand down workers refusing to do overtime.
Union delegates for the maintenance department met this morning after Qantas startedto stand down employees who refused to take on extra work during the weekend.
The work would breach union overtime bans initiated last September as part of a industrialcampaign by workers refusing to accept Qantas' proposed wage freeze.
About 600 NSW maintenance workers walked off the job yesterday after Qantas managersstood down more than a dozen workers who refused overtime.
The workers remain off the job today.
In Melbourne, 450 maintenance employees have taken alternative action, refusing toleave their workplace when stood aside by Qantas management.
Australian Workers' Union Secretary Bill Shorten has described the airline's actionsas deliberate and provocative.
A Qantas spokesman said the action would not affect flights.
Unions have called on the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to intervene,claiming the overtime bans were part of a protected action campaign accepted by the commission.
A hearing was set for 11.30am (AEST).
AAP jmw/szp/jlw/tnf/bwl
KEYWORD: QANTAS MAINTENANCE
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