Today, Qantas issued a public apology following the Federal Court’s decision to award compensation to 1,700 former ground staff, unlawfully outsourced during the pandemic. This ruling brings relief to affected employees, marking a significant milestone for accountability in Australian employment law.
The Federal Court’s decision limited economic loss compensation to 12 months. In addition, three test case employees were awarded non-economic damages: $100,000, $40,000, and $30,000 respectively, recognizing the emotional distress caused by Qantas’ actions.
Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson acknowledged the harm caused to workers and stated that Qantas will cooperate to expedite payments. Meanwhile, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) is pushing for penalties exceeding $100 million to send a powerful message against corporate misconduct.
This ruling is a reminder of the importance of fair treatment and due process in the workplace.
Transport Workers’ Union of Australia v Qantas Airways Limited (Compensation Claim) [2024] FCA 1216 (21 October 2024)