Employers and unions representing tens of thousands of workers and suppliers across aviation and written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison stressing that the situation has become dire and requires urgent attention, beyond the first assistance package.
See the letter below:
Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison
House of Representatives
Canberra ACT 2600
March 19, 2020
Dear Prime Minister,
We write to you regarding the impact of the pandemic outbreak. As employers and unions representing tens of thousands of workers and suppliers across aviation, we stress that the situation has become dire and requires urgent attention, beyond the first assistance package.
With the cancellation of most international air travel and a sizeable proportion of domestic air travel, aviation companies are struggling and facing grave consequences which threaten thousands of jobs.
While the announcement of the waiving of fees and charges will assist some airlines in freeing up cash reserves, we note the package is not directed at and will not benefit other aviation companies, such as ground handling, catering and cleaning services.
We therefore urge you to consider other measures to assist aviation companies at this time to protect businesses and jobs in a second package of assistance to the aviation industry.
Measure could include:
- Allowing workers on unpaid leave to receive the Newstart allowance with a top up to average weekly wages from the Government
- Relief on payroll tax
- Loans to aviation companies
- State guarantee for aviation companies
We are aware of the advice that the crisis point of this pandemic will come to an end. However, to mitigate the wider effects on the economy we believe it is important that the critical infrastructure that airports represent must be kept viable. To this end we appeal for further assistance and are available to discuss the above measures and any other initiatives you may be considering.
We look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Michael Kaine
TWU National Secretary
Linda White
ASU Assistant National Secretary
Hiranjan Aloysius
CEO Dnata
Kogilan Moodley
Menzies
Ian Viney
Managing director Oceania, Gate Gourmet
Burt Sigsworth
CEO Cabin Services Australia
