QANTAS PILOTS PLAN INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Industrial action is expected after talks between pilots union, the Australian and International Airline Pilots Association, and Qantas senior management broke down yesterday. Pilots have been pushing for a new pay deal and job security but Qantas was not prepared to work with its members to provide written job security provisions in return for improved flexibility and productivity. Qantas chief pilot Pete Wilson said that management was not planning to reduce wages but was seeking to reduce costs by increasing productivity. The union has called meetings of its members in Sydney tomorrow and in Melbourne next Monday.