A Guide to Megalomania

I'm Behind QANTAS

I am not going to claim to speaking on behalf of the entire snarkhunters.com team – though I know some do support these comments but I would like to take a moment to come out in support of QANTAS and CEO Alan Joyce.

The media and as a result society are quick to bring down the wrath of popular opinion on QANTAS and it’s management this weekend but let’s be fair – Mr Joyce did what the unions forced him to do.

For about five years now, the unions have been working very hard to bring QANTAS down. That’s right, I said it. I’m not talking about small incremental pay increases I am talking about a calculated plan to bring down our national flag carrier.

BELIEF: QANTAS are refusing to provide staff with an adequate wage to meet the cost of living requirements and essentially minimum wage.

FACT: QANTAS staff  - pilots, engineers and ground staff are amongst the highest paid in the airline industry. A QANTAS International Pilot receives approximately $350,000 per annum. All QANTAS staff get amazing travel benefits on top of an above industry salary.

BELIEF: Alan Joyce is not paying workers but instead raising his own salary by 70%..

FACT: In the last several years, Joyce himself has taken massive pay cuts in order to not cut the salaries of staff. Alan Joyce is currently earning LESS than he did at Jetstar. Can you imagine Julia Gillard or a member of parliament take a voluntary pay cut in order to throw more money into social security?

BELIEF: QANTAS have gone out of their way to strand passengers to make a point.

FACT: It is in fact the unions who keep doing this. How many times do you hear about QANTAS strike actions?
At the end of the day, Joyce made a great strategic decision. He had a choice of letting the unions keep holding him over a barrel and striking every five minutes or put the ball in someone else's court.

Gillard and the Labor government have been very careful to avoid getting involved in this issue. By grounding his fleet Joyce has played the only card he had left, he’s forced the government to get involved.

You see, our Union puppet Prime Minister has been careful not to criticize the strike actions despite knowing that the demands were unreasonable. However, now the government has to show their colours. Are they going to demand that QANTAS bow to the idiocy of the unions and show how out of touch they actually are? OR will the government stand up for the Spirit of Australia and put an end to countless and ridiculous actions by the unions? Time will tell.

If you’re interested, the Sydney Morning Herald had this to say:

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/move-was-joyces-only-real-option-20111029-1mpui.html

How many of you choose QANTAS when flying internationally? As your first choice? Being honest you shop on price and end up choosing an Asian carrier. I’m the same – I love Singapore Airlines. QANTAS have been unable to compete for years now due to the price they pay staff and the knife at their throats by the unions.

For QANTAS to compete on an international stage and have some longevity, they need to cut their prices. To do so they need to either fire staff or cut salaries - but as soon as that is mentioned, we're up in arms. Yet we still don't use QANTAS as our first option, we shop around on price.

I could go on for hours - in fact, I could write a thesis on this and still have more to say. But I don't necessarily want you to take my word for it.

You may not have supported QANTAS for years with your international travel – and if the unions have their way you may never get the opportunity to. But I am asking you to show your support in a small way right now. Rather than criticizing QANTAS and yelling about them on Facebook, spend 10 minutes and do some research. Read a lot of PROFESSIONAL opinions, not just rely on sensationalist media.

That’s all I am asking. Just find out what is REALLY happening and then make the informed decision.  If ignorance was really bliss, the unions would already be happy.

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