FED: Union backs Qantas baggage handlers over bag weights fear

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2008
FED: Union backs Qantas baggage handlers over bag weights fear

By Katelyn John

SYDNEY, April 10 AAP - Qantas says it will not bow to union threats of industrial action,
despite claims from the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) the national carrier's baggage
handlers are "breaking their backs" lugging bags weighing up to 32kg.

Qantas baggage handlers yesterday voted in support of a 20kg weight limit for all baggage
and called on management to support such a move.

However, Qantas management today said its current regulations complied with all industry
standards of baggage handling.

"Qantas meets all national and international standards relating to the handling of
heavy bags," it said in a statement.

"We have clear policies and procedures, including heavy bag identification, appropriate
manual handling techniques and weight limitations.

"We have implemented mechanical solutions that alleviate heavy lifting, staff rotation
solutions and manual handling training.

"We will continue to work constructively with our staff on this issue (but) we do not
anticipate any impact on our flight schedule or change to check-in allowances."

When asked if this meant Qantas would not reduce individual bag allowances, a spokesman
told AAP: "Not at this stage".

The travel plans of thousands of airline passengers could be disrupted if Qantas does
not adopt the 12kg reduction in bag weight, the TWU said.

TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said management's stance left Qantas workers no
choice but to take industrial action.

"I'm sure the general public would understand with Qantas' failure to act, he told
reporters in Melbourne

"With Qantas literally breaking the backs of their own employees and crippling family
members, that they've left no alternative but for the workforce to start taking those
matters directly into their own hands and literally for them to stop their backs from
being broken.

"The workforce has little option but to say, 'Am I going to sit by and watch my friends
have their back broken or my own, or sit by when the next person gets dragged out of a
baggage hold and having to be syringed with morphine to be able to drag them out?'."

The TWU said it was waiting for an official response rather than just a statement from
Qantas, and would meet with management and delegates before deciding if any industrial
action should be taken.

Mr Sheldon said a recent union survey found one in seven Qantas baggage handlers had
to have time off work as a result of injury last year, with 28 cases of serious back,
neck and shoulder injuries.

He said Qantas' sister airline, British Airways, had a 20kg baggage limit, and the
national handling proposals from the national health bodies said the maximum baggage weight
should be 16-20kg.

"Quite clearly the risks that are in this industry (are) as a result of Qantas' lack
of proper equipment, lack of proper training and certainly lack of accountability in the
systems they've got in place," he said.

Qantas said time lost because of injuries in the airport had decreased every year for
the past four years.

AAP kaj/hn/imc/de

KEYWORD: BAGGAGE NIGHTLEAD

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