Vic: Union wants Senate inquiry into airline industry

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2000
Vic: Union wants Senate inquiry into airline industry

The manufacturing union says the Senate should investigate safety standards in the
airline industry following recent incidents on Qantas flights.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has called for a Senate inquiry following
mechanical difficulties on board recent Qantas flights which caused passenger alarm.

A Qantas spokeswoman said that on Monday, pilots aboard QF567 noticed a slight decrease
in the oil quantity in one engine and as a precaution the captain of the 767-200 reduced
power to it, but at no stage was the engine shut down.

Over the Easter weekend, part of the undercarriage of a Melbourne-bound 747-300 carrying
303 passengers collapsed before take-off from Rome.

And in the most high-profile incident to date, a Qantas jumbo overshot the runway at
Bangkok airport last September, causing $100 million damage.

AMWU state secretary JULIUS ROE says the incidents are of a serious nature, and the
Australian public had a right to know about the impact of job losses, contracting out
and out-sourcing on maintenance and safety standards.

Mr ROE says the union would oppose Qantas plans to further cut costs by out-sourcing
maintenance jobs off shore.

A Qantas spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.

AAP RTV hmg/jlw/jn

KEYWORD: QANTAS UNION (MELBOURNE)

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