The Transport Workers' Union is calling on Qantas to immediately reinstate a worker who is a trained health and safety representative after the airline stood him down for giving advice to colleagues about their rights regarding the coronavirus.
The worker, who was elected representative by his co-workers, was stood down on Sunday after informing workers of their rights under health and safety laws. Broadcaster Alan Jones raised the matter of threats to airport workers with Prime Minister Scott Morrison this morning who said: "that is a matter I am happy to take up with Qantas about how they are managing those issues".
TWU NSW Branch Secretary Richard Olsen said: "We are very concerned that airport workers on the frontline of this virus outbreak are being threatened, intimidated and stood down from their jobs rather than being supported and given all the protections they need. We call on Qantas to immediately reinstate the worker who has been stood down and to withdraw letters of intimidation to people who expressed concerns about working on flights from China. This is not a time for using bullying workplace tactics. Cabin crew, airlines cleaners, caterers, baggage and ramp workers and airport security personnel at the frontline have the right to go to work, be safe and return to their families afterwards without concerns that they are spreading a deadly virus."
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said: "We are pleased that the Prime Minister has said he will take the matter up with Qantas, given that this is a public health issue. We would like to see this issue resolved immediately so that workers can continue to do their jobs but are able to raise concerns when they arise."
The TWU is concerned about workers forced to board the aircraft which evacuated people from Wuhan to strip it of catering and linen before it was sent for deep-cleaning with just masks and gloves but no eye protection or training on risk management.
