Airlines

Qantas unveils ‘Yes23’ livery for three planes, in support of Indigenous referendum

The national carrier today announced special livery on three Qantas Group aircraft in support of the Yes campaign ahead of the impending referendum for an Indigenous Voice in Parliament.

The Yes23 campaign logo will be featured on three aircraft, including a Qantas Boeing 737, a QantasLink Dash 8 Turboprop, and a Jetstar Airbus A320. The national carrier’s long-standing commitment to reconciliation and, more broadly, the idea of a “fair go” was preserved, according to Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who supported an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

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“Qantas has a long history of promoting reconciliation with First Nations people, starting with the inclusion of Aboriginal artwork in our in-flight magazine in the 1960s and on our aircraft starting in the 1990s, to our support for constitutional recognition in 2014, public endorsement of the Uluru Statement of the Heart in 2019, and First Nations employment and supplier commitments.

“We’re backing the Yes23 campaign because we think giving First Nations people a formal say in government will help bridge the gap in crucial spheres like health, education, and jobs. These aircraft will fly around the nation promoting a “Yes” vote, much as our Flying Art livery aircraft that showcase First Nations culture to a global audience.

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The Qantas Group is assisting the Yes23 campaign and the Uluru Dialogue teams with travel in addition to decorating three aircraft with the Yes livery so that they can interact with Australians in regional and remote areas before the referendum.

Airlines

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.