The TWU has welcomed news that a bid has been made for Rex enabling it to keep flying as an Australian company long-term, but says assurances must be made by Air T to safeguard its vital regional routes, as well as workers' pay and conditions.
The TWU will now seek a meeting with buyer Air T to pursue commitments around employee entitlements-with bargaining ongoing for ground workers at Rex-and answers on the future expansion of the airline, guarantees of routes and services, and diversification of its fleet.
The TWU has commended the Federal Government with its interventions with funding to keep Rex afloat during the administration process, and following calls from the TWU, its commitment to ultimately acquire Rex if attempts to find a buyer had failed.
With significant steps still necessary before a transaction is complete, the Federal Government and its support of the potential buyer have ensured the protection of thousands of jobs and critical infrastructure for regional Australia, but it must attach conditions of decent jobs and guarantees of routes and services to this support.
A long-term solution for regional aviation is now key-Rex's administration left regional Australia and workers with significant uncertainty around the future of the airline, and the Federal Government must now put in place a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to enable these critical routes to definitively remain in place long-term.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:
"With little known about Air T's plan for Rex's critical routes, there are still significant questions here around jobs and the continuation of services long-term.
"The Federal Government should be commended for its its commitment to acquire Rex if no buyer was found, which ensured breathing space for regional Australia and workers. With a significant portion of the transaction process still to come, this contingency will continue to provide surety that Rex will keep flying, but the Federal Government must ensure it extracts further commitments from Air T on routes and services, and good jobs.
"Regional Australia has been left behind too frequently when it comes to aviation, and now more than ever we need certainty into the future for Rex. Air T's long-term plan for Rex must involve growing these critical services and investing in the airline, which crucially means good jobs for workers.
"Coming quickly after the collapse of Bonza, there is significant trust still to build in our regional aviation industry. For that we need a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to ensure that the boom-and-bust cycle stops, and regional Australia can rely on these services so critical to healthcare, tourism, business and connecting communities."
