In a landmark ruling, Australia's Federal Court has ordered Qantas to pay a colossal £90 million fine for illegally sacking nearly 1,700 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision marks one of the largest penalties ever imposed for workplace law violations in Australian aviation history.
Union Victory Against 'Shameful' Job Cuts
The Transport Workers Union (TWU), which brought the case against the airline, described the ruling as "a watershed moment for workers' rights". Court documents revealed Qantas outsourced its entire ground operations workforce in 2020 despite knowing the move would breach workplace laws.
"This wasn't just corporate misconduct - it was a calculated betrayal of loyal employees during our nation's darkest hour," said TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine.
COVID Crisis Used as Cover
Evidence presented to the court showed Qantas executives had discussed using the pandemic as justification for the mass terminations months before making the decision. The airline claimed the restructuring would save £100 million annually, but failed to properly consult with employees or unions as required by law.
- 1,682 workers lost their jobs in November 2020
- Operations were outsourced to third-party contractors
- Federal Court found the move was partly to prevent future industrial action
Record Penalty Sends Strong Message
The £90 million penalty dwarfs previous workplace law fines in Australia. Justice Geoffrey Flick described Qantas's conduct as "egregious" and noted the profound impact on affected workers during already challenging times.
"When corporations of this size and importance break the law so flagrantly, the consequences must be proportionate," the judge stated in his 98-page ruling.
Qantas has announced it will not appeal the decision, with CEO Vanessa Hudson offering a public apology to the sacked workers. The airline faces additional compensation claims that could total millions more.
