| By now, many of you would have seen the Federal Court ruling from this time last week – that Qantas will be penalised $90 million for illegally sacking over 1800 workers during the pandemic. This is the largest employer penalty in Australian corporate history. This decision follows the earlier Federal Court decision which led to a $120 million fund to compensate effected workers. |
| In 2020, the TWU and our members stood by the Qantas workers because it was the right thing to do, and if we did nothing, it would happen again. This was truly a David and Goliath battle – but Goliath didn’t bet on David’s sling being the 60,000 members of the Transport Workers’ Union. We have more to say on this historic victory below. This week, we continued to visit members in yards across NSW and talk about our upcoming fight for 2026. As I write, we are approaching our upcoming 2025 delegates conference. I look forward to seeing many of you there, as we discuss our victories in 2025, of which there have been many, and look towards ’26 and the fight for our roads, our skies, and our future. |
TWU History Made: The Final Victory in a Series of Wins over Qantas
The TWU has welcomed last week’s Federal Court ruling that Qantas will be penalised $90 million – the largest employer penalty in Australian corporate history – for illegally sacking and outsourcing over 1800 workers, signalling the decision as a moment of justice for loyal workers who’d loved their jobs at the airline.
The judgment is, according to the TWU, the final vindication for workers whose decision to fight the case was derided and mocked by Qantas management from day one. Before the establishment of the compensation fund, many of the workers suffered financial stress, family breakdowns and mental illness as a result of the outsourcing, and have endured a further five years of distress at being discredited by Qantas which argued throughout that they were wrong to challenge it.
In issuing a close to maximum penalty, Justice Lee said that Qantas had been “the wrong kind of sorry.” The penalty serves as a warning to corporate Australia.
TWU NSW Secretary Richard Olsen says:
“Make no mistake, this decision – the largest penalty for a breach of industrial relations laws in 120 years – is a complete vindication of the fight we picked up in 2020, when Qantas made the original decision to illegally sack these workers.
“Justice Lee himself noted that it was the TWU that wore the risk of taking up this case, when other entities would not. This penalty is on top of the $120 million fund established to compensate affected workers, and rightfully reflects the effort, grit and tenacity transport workers have put in to see this through.
“This is a win for all Australian workers, but in particular transport workers, who were on the frontlines during the Covid crisis while perversely facing some of the most precarious employment arrangements. This ruling is a final sign that this needs to end.
“I encourage all employers to work with us as we seek reform, and safe and secure jobs in this industry.”
Union Shopper: August – September Promotion
In August, and continuing through September, Union Shopper members are receiving a special promotion through our new energy comparison service.
This not only helps members save money by being connected to the best possible plan (sourced from multiple energy retailers), but also gives them access to:
Guaranteed rewards for switching – $50 for residential gas, up to $70 for internet, and up to $170 for SME energy.
And one Union Shopper member is guaranteed to win $1,500 in our electricity switching draw (winner announced 3 December 2025).
This Union Shopper promotion is available to all members until 30 September 2025. Link: https://unionshopper.com.au/offer/compare-energy-plans/?action=activate&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=unionshopper_compare_August_2025
