With Rex now in voluntary administration, the TWU said measures to protect as many jobs as possible and secure entitlements in the event of job losses are urgently required, while the long-term solution of a stand-alone regulator is the only way to sustainably fix the broken aviation industry.
Following a two-day trading halt and speculation over administration, EY wrote to the TWU overnight to confirm it has been appointed as administrators, with jobs and the closing down of the jet services business to be discussed today.
The TWU is calling on the Federal Government to look at an equity stake to protect as many jobs as possible, entitlements for those facing redundancy, and to provide a voice for regional Australia.
The TWU has slammed a vicious, hyper-competitive and unregulated market that has allowed an immoral Qantas to dominate at the expense of workers and the community.
The union movement has joined TWU members in calling for a Safe and Secure Skies Commission to ensure aviation meets the needs of the community, ensures healthy competition, and rebuilds good, secure jobs across our airports.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:
"Just four weeks after Bonza went into liquidation, hundreds more aviation workers are facing stand downs, job losses and uncertainty. It is absolutely critical that as many jobs as possible are protected through the continuation of regional flights, while entitlements are secured for those unable to retain employment. The TWU is in discussions with other aviation companies about job opportunities for Rex staff.
"The Federal Government has sent positive signals that it does not intend to leave regional Australia in the lurch. An equity stake would serve workers, regional Australia and taxpayers now and into the future. It would be the opposite approach to the Morrison Government bungle of billions in no-strings taxpayer funding to Qantas which went on to illegally sack 1700 workers, price-gouge customers and sell ghost flights.
"Aviation is locked in a cycle of crises. While the Rex administration is handled as quickly as possible, we also need a long-term fix to the unregulated market dominance that sees Qantas popping the champagne corks while competitors are squeezed out and workers are left on the scrap heap.
"Given the size of Australia, the question at the heart of this crisis is: what support do we need to make sure there's a viable aviation industry that can serve the community reliably and affordably? A Safe and Secure Skies Commission to bring balance and binding standards is the answer to that question."
