PM Transcripts

do Is-PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY, 1981
THE QANTAS DISPUTE
Qantas' international services have been seriously disrupted.
This has arisen over a dispute concerning stewards, staffing
and wage levels. In Australia there are well accepted
mechanisms for settling disputes and it is a tragedy that
they are not properly used... In this~ case the union resorted
to wild-cat strikes as opposed to negotiation. There can be
no justification for that.
In this instance we have Qantas as Australia's international
flag carrier being seriously damaged. The only advantage goes
to Qantas' international and foreign competitors.
Qantas is a great airline. It has ' total backing and support
from, the Government and I want to thank the management and
staff members who have valiantly sought to keep Qantas' services
operating-' in the interests of the travelling public and in the
interests of Qantas' and Australia's international reputation.
_ M1r. Dolan and the ACTU are to be condemned for soliciting
international support to undermine Qantas. It is time
Australians pulled together and worked together, and especially
-so -in relation to an organisation such as Qantas because -his
dispute. holds Australia to ridicule before the whole world.
There are some current negotiations proceeding and I urge
everyone to make snre that they end in a just and speedy
settlement of the dispute.
This is Australia's airline and it's time we all
supported it. 000---A/ d~ c1v A~-Ce
F-f